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What is an authentic American Hero?Today’s corrupt and shallow society passes off so many unworthy people as heroes to be emulated and idolized, many just common criminals, and it thoroughly ignores authentic American Heroes such as this man. Just 22 years old and had no hesitation laying down his life for his country. I daresay the youth in our schools would be better off learning about this man than they are by putting condoms on bananas.From the Congressional Medal of Honor SocietySTORIES OF SACRIFICEALONZO H CUSHINGDETAILS* RANK: FIRST LIEUTENANT* CONFLICT/ERA: U.S. CIVIL WAR* UNIT/COMMAND: �BATTERY A, �4TH U.S. ARTILLERY* MILITARY SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. ARMY* MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION DATE: JULY 3, 1863* MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION PLACE: GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIACITATIONFirst Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing distinguished himself by acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an artillery commander in Battery A, 4th U.S. Artillery, Army of the Potomac at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 3rd, 1863 during the American Civil War. That morning, Confederate forces led by General Robert E. Lee began cannonading First Lieutenant Cushing’s position on Cemetery Ridge. Using field glasses, First Lieutenant Cushing directed fire for his own artillery battery. He refused to leave the battlefield after being struck in the shoulder by a shell fragment. As he continued to direct fire, he was struck again — this time suffering grievous damage to his abdomen. Still refusing to abandon his command, he boldly stood tall in the face of Major General George E. Pickett’s charge and continued to direct devastating fire into oncoming forces. As the Confederate forces closed in, First Lieutenant Cushing was struck in the mouth by an enemy bullet and fell dead beside his gun. His gallant stand and fearless leadership inflicted severe casualties upon Confederate forces and opened wide gaps in their lines, directly impacting the Union force’s ability to repel Pickett’s charge. First Lieutenant Cushing’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty at the cost of his own life are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Battery A, 4th U.S. Artillery, Army of the Potomac, and the United States Army.