On July 3, 1863, Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing, Battery A, 4th United States Artillery, positioned his battery at the stone wall on Cemetery Ridge outside of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
During the pre-attack bombardment, Cushing's battery sustained heavy casualties, and Cushing was wounded several times during the attack known as Pickett's Charge. First, a shell fragment went straight through his shoulder. He was then grievously wounded by a shell fragment which tore into his abdomen and groin. This wound exposed Cushing's intestines, which he held in place with his hand as he continued to command his battery. Ordered to go to the rear, Cushing refused and eventually was killed in action.
In 2002, Senator Feingold nominated him for the medal and the Army approved the nomination in 2010.