Cushing Award
History
The Cushing Award is presented to the highest in order of merit among Wisconsin 1st class Midshipmen in memory of Cushing’s unusual career as well as his heroism and Wisconsin birth.
CDR Cushing, born in Delafield, Wisconsin, and appointed to the Naval Academy from New York, distinguished himself in battle throughout the Civil War, including a raid on the Confederate ironclad CSS Albemarle.
Five ships in the U.S. Navy have been named USS Cushing after him. The most recent one, the destroyer USS Cushing (DD-985), was decommissioned in September 2005. Cushing has a portrait of him in full dress uniform hanging in Memorial Hall at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Nearly all of the other portraits in the hall are of Admirals. A monument that honors Alonzo, William, and Howard Cushing is located at Cushing Memorial Park in Delafield, Wisconsin.
Cushing Award Winners
| Year | Name | Hometown | Company | Service Assignment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Thomas Wester | Brookfield | 14 | Surface Warfare |
| 2015 | Ethan Albrecht | Oshkosh | 22 | Naval Aviation |
| 2014 | Gregory Gerlach | Elm Grove | 8 | Submarines |
| 2013 | Troy Tauber | Sturgeon Bay | 27 | Submarines |
| 2012 | Jacob Cavey | Racine | 10 | Submarines |
| 2011 | Alex Eagan | Madison | 13 | Special Operations (EOD) |
| 2010 | John Campion | Green Bay | 9 | Submarines |
| 2009 | Peter Bose | Union Grove | 7 | Marine Corps |
