Medal of Honor for Gettysburg Hero

President Obama and Congress have approved the awarding of the Medal of Honor to Alonzo Cushing, one of the heroes of the Battle of Gettysburg.

His name may not be familiar to everyone but he is well known to those interested in the Civil War.

At the conclusion of the Battle of Gettysburg, Pickett's Charge, a key element to the victory of the United States Army was its artillery. Alonzo Cushing commanded the artillery in the key section of the line. 

He was severely wounded in the shoulder, then in the groin and abdomen. Despite being ordered to the rear, he remained, held his intestines, and continued the fight. He was put out of his misery by a bullet through his mouth and brain, but his actions certainly helped achieve victory.

The efforts of those such as Alonzo Cushing, Winfield Scott Hancock (also wounded in his groin about the same time and place) and many others helped save the United States from being torn into two countries, one slave and one free. It is most appropriate that he is receiving the Medal of Honor 151 years and almost 2 months after his death.