He never received a medal. Until now.

A New York family has received a Civil War medal for their ancestor who died before the military decoration was created. State Sen. David Carlucci presented Viola Silverman with a replica of the Civil War Campaign Medal. John Ferguson Pratt served in the New York Volunteer 39th Infantry Regiment and was wounded in Virginia. • Article

Ancestor left unclaimed medal

A Wood County, West Va., man picked up an unclaimed Civil War medal from officials this week on behalf of his great, great uncle. Tom Moore, related to Henry S. Elliott, claimed the Civil War medal from the West Virginia State Archives. • Article

Woman, 90, pushed medal for Cushing

Margaret Zerwekh and Lt. Alonzo Cushing are separated by more than a century but united by a tie to the woods here along the Bark River, 35 miles west of Milwaukee. Drawn by that bond, Zerwekh, a 90-year-old with a barbed wit, spent 23 years fighting to get Cushing honored for his brave service in the Union Army at the Battle of Gettysburg. Cushing later this year posthumously receives the Medal of Honor. • Article

Facebook helps soldier get Medal of Honor

Seven score and seven years ago, a Wisconsin soldier stood his ground on the Gettysburg battlefield and made a valiant stand before he was felled by a Confederate bullet. Now, thanks to the dogged efforts of modern-day supporters, 1st Lt. Alonzo Cushing shall not have died in vain, nor shall his memory have perished from the earth. • Article