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President Obama Awards Civil War Medal of Honor to Delafield Native

First Lt. Alonzo Cushing was killed during the Battle of Gettysburg.

The Cushing name is prominent in Delafield.  A monument to Alonzo Cushing and two of his brothers stands at Cushing Memorial Park.

Alonzo commanded more than 100 men during the Battle of Gettysburg, defending the Union position on Cemetery Ridge.

The small unit stood its ground under an assault by 13,000 confederate soldiers.  Cushing was eventually shot and killed.  The White House says his heroic actions made it possible for the Union Army to drive back the confederate advance.

Cushing's descendants have been pushing for recognition for 25 years.  On Thursday, two of Cushing's cousins will join President Obama at the White House to accept the Civil War Medal of Honor, on their relative's behalf.

Marti was a reporter with WUWM from 1999 to 2021.
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