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Civil War and Vietnam Soldiers to Receive Medal of Honor

President Barack Obama will award the Medal of Honor to two Vietnam veterans and a Union soldier for his heroics during the historic Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg, the White House announced Tuesday.
Image: The Medal of Honor is held up before Obama presents it to retired U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Carpenter during a ceremony at the White House in Washington
The Medal of Honor is held up before U.S. President Barack Obama presents it to retired U.S. Marine Corps Corporal William "Kyle" Carpenter during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, June 19, 2014. Obama presented Carpenter the Medal of Honor, the highest U.S. award for gallantry, on Thursday for covering a grenade with his body and saving a comrade's life. REUTERS/Larry Downing (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY)LARRY DOWNING / Reuters

President Barack Obama next month will award the Medal of Honor to two Vietnam soldiers and a Union Army lieutenant for his heroics during the historic Pickett's Charge assault at the Battle of Gettysburg, the White House announced Tuesday.

Army First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing will receive the medal for gallantry shown on July 3, 1863, when he was killed after refusing to retreat from Confederate forces during one of the most famous battles in American military history. His stand made it possible for the Union Army to repel the rebel assault.

Specialist Four Donald P. Sloat will receive the medal for shielding fellow soldiers from the blast of hand grenade trap in Vietnam in 1970. He was killed at age 20.

Command Sergeant Major Adkins, who will attend the ceremony at the White House, will receive the honor for his work as an intelligence sergeant in Vietnam in 1966.

-- Andrew Rafferty