MEDAL OF HONOR

4th U.S. Artillery, Army of the Potomac

1st Cavalry Division, America's First Team!

The saga of the 1st Cavalry Division weaves a vibrant tapestry of valor, beginning in the dusty deserts of Fort Bliss, Texas, where it was born on September 13, 1921. Here, Troopers on horseback galloped across rugged terrain, guarding the Mexican border with steely resolve. As the 1940s dawned, the march of technology retired their trusty steeds, transforming them into dismounted cavalry ready to face the trials of World War II’s Pacific Theater.

In 1943, the division sailed to Queensland, Australia, honing their skills for jungle and amphibious warfare. By February 1944, they charged the beaches of Los Negros Island, clashing fiercely with Japanese forces and leaving 7,000 enemy casualties in their wake. Months later, on the Philippine island of Leyte, they battled through dense jungles, and in 1945, their “Flying Column” thundered into Manila, liberating internees at Santo Tomas University. Two Troopers earned the Medal of Honor posthumously, their sacrifices etched into the division’s lore. Under Major General William C. Chase, the “First Team” moniker took root, and they rode into history as the first to enter Tokyo, securing Japan’s capital during the occupation and patrolling 5,000 square miles while aiding in disaster relief and demobilization.

When North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950, the First Team answered the call, storming ashore at Pohang Dong in a daring amphibious landing. They surged across the 38th parallel, capturing Pyongyang, only to face a relentless Chinese counteroffensive at Unsan that tested their grit. Despite heavy losses, they fought on, holding the line. Eleven Troopers earned the Medal of Honor, their courage never forgotten.

Reborn as an airmobile force, the division soared into Vietnam. During the 1965 Pleiku Campaign, they earned the Presidential Unit Citation, and in 1968, they shattered the Tet Offensive in Hue and relieving the besieged Marines at Khe Sanh and striking into Cambodia in 1970. Thirty Troopers received the Medal of Honor, their bravery a testament to the “Sky Troopers’” indomitable spirit. The division was the first full unit into Vietnam and the last to leave, returning to Fort Hood in 1971 as a “Tricap” Division blending armor, air mobility, and cavalry.

Through the Cold War, the First Team sharpened their skills at Fort Hood, training for global conflict and facing mock battles at Fort Irwin. When Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, they deployed to Saudi Arabia, outwitting the enemy with a deceptive feint along the Wadi al Batin. In a breathtaking 24-hour, 300-kilometer charge, they smashed through the Republican Guard, fulfilling General Schwarzkopf’s command to “send in the First Team” and end the Gulf War.

In 1998, the division deployed to Bosnia, ensuring stability following years of brutal conflict in the region. By 2003, they were in Iraq, liberating a nation and guiding Baghdad toward democracy in 2004. They returned in 2006 and 2009, commanding vast forces and transferring bases to Iraqi control. In Afghanistan, from 2011 to 2016, they led Regional Command-East and trained Afghan forces, their colors unfurled in Bagram as a symbol of enduring strength.

Recently, the First Team deployed brigades to Iraq to support the fight against ISIS, Korea to reassure our allies, and Europe, to counter Russian aggression in 2014 and bolstering NATO allies in 2022. Now, the Division stands ready to Transform in Contact, setting us up to fight and win on the modern battlefield. With 24,000 Soldiers carrying the hard-riding spirit of the cavalry, the 1st Cavalry Division stands ready, their legacy a saga of courage, adaptability, and triumph, forever the “First Team.”

Official Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has posthumously awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to

First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing

United States Army

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

First 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 3, 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 Forces' 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.