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Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was the only woman to receive the US Congressional Medal of Honor for her service as an Army surgeon during the Civil War. Her medal was revoked in 1916 but reinstated in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter.
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was the only woman, as of 2013, to be awarded the US Congressional Medal of Honor, which is the highest military honor in the United States and is awarded to individuals who are deemed to have acted beyond his duty. Walker served as an Army surgeon during the Civil War and was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1865. She was also the first female military doctor in the United States and the first female prisoner of war. She provided medical aid to wounded troops before being captured and held by Confederate troops for four months in 1864. In 1916, the United States War Department conducted an investigation to purge illegitimate medals and voided nearly 1,000 medals due to lack of proof of deeds of value. Walker’s medal was revoked but was reinstated by President Jimmy Carter in 1977.
Read more about the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor:
As of 2013, there were 19 individuals who had received multiple Medals of Honor.
Selling the medal is illegal and punishable by up to six months in prison.
The award was created in 1861 and as of 2013 has been awarded more than 3,400 times.
