Dr. Mary Edwards Walker made history as the first and only woman to receive the Medal of Honor for her extraordinary service as a civilian surgeon during the Civil War. Her medal was presented on November 11, 1865, at the War Department in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker stands as a remarkable figure in American history as the only woman to ever receive the Medal of Honor. Her extraordinary courage and dedication as a civilian surgeon during the Civil War earned her this prestigious recognition in 1865, making her achievement even more exceptional during an era when women faced significant limitations in both military service and medical practice.

While serving the Union Army, Walker crossed enemy lines to treat wounded civilians and soldiers, risking her own life in the process. Her unwavering commitment to saving lives caught the attention of President Andrew Johnson, who awarded her the nation's highest military decoration. Though her medal was later revoked in 1917 along with many others, President Jimmy Carter restored it posthumously in 1977, cementing her place in American military history.

On November 11, 1865, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker received the Medal of Honor in a ceremony at the War Department in Washington, D.C. The presentation marked a groundbreaking moment in American military history as the first and only Medal of Honor awarded to a woman.

President Andrew Johnson personally approved Dr. Walker's Medal of Honor recommendation from Generals William T. Sherman and George H. Thomas. The official citation recognized her service at the First Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Chickamauga, the Atlanta Campaign and her four months as a prisoner of war. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton presented the medal on behalf of President Johnson in a ceremony attended by military officials and government dignitaries.

The Medal of Honor award carried exceptional weight during the Civil War era, distinguishing Dr. Walker from 1,520 other Civil War recipients. The citation specifically praised her "valuable service to the Government" and noted her dedication to "suffering soldiers both in the field and hospitals." Her achievement broke significant gender barriers in the military establishment, as the medal traditionally recognized combat valor displayed by male soldiers.

Medal of Honor Details - 1865 Ceremony
Date Awarded	November 11, 1865
Location	War Department, Washington D.C.
Approved By	President Andrew Johnson
Recommended By	Generals Sherman & Thomas
Total Civil War Recipients	1,520

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker served as a civilian surgeon for the Union Army during the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865. Her dedicated service included working in field hospitals, crossing enemy lines to treat civilians, and enduring capture as a prisoner of war.

Dr. Walker volunteered at Indiana Hospital in Washington, D.C., treating wounded soldiers in 1861. The Union Army appointed her as a civilian contract surgeon in 1863, making her the first female U.S. Army surgeon. She served with the 52nd Ohio Infantry during the Battle of Chickamauga, performing surgeries in field hospitals under enemy fire. Her responsibilities included:

• Treating battlefield wounds at Gordon's Mills in Georgia

• Operating in field hospitals at Chattanooga Tennessee

• Performing amputations at forward medical stations

• Conducting medical examinations of recruits

• Managing typhoid outbreaks among troops

• Arrest by Confederate troops on suspicion of espionage

• Imprisonment at Castle Thunder Prison in Richmond Virginia

• Four months of captivity under harsh conditions

• Release through a prisoner exchange on August 12, 1864

• Return to service as a medical supervisor at Louisville Female Prison

Period of Service	Location	Role
1861-1862	Washington D.C.	Volunteer Surgeon
1863-1864	Georgia/Tennessee	Contract Surgeon
Apr-Aug 1864	Richmond, VA	Prisoner of War
1864-1865	Kentucky	Medical Supervisor

In 1917, a military review board created by Congress questioned the legitimacy of 911 previously awarded Medals of Honor, including Dr. Mary Edwards Walker's medal. This review marked a significant shift in the medal's award criteria, focusing exclusively on combat-related heroism.

The Congressional review board established stricter guidelines for Medal of Honor recipients, requiring direct combat participation. The board revoked Dr. Walker's medal on February 15, 1917, along with 910 other recipients' medals, citing their civilian status during service. Congress passed legislation that created new standards, limiting eligibility to military personnel who demonstrated distinguished gallantry in actual combat.

Medal of Honor Review Statistics 1917
Total Medals Reviewed	911
Total Medals Revoked	911
Civilian Recipients Affected	46
Military Recipients Affected	865

Dr. Walker defied the board's decision, continuing to wear her Medal of Honor until her death in 1919. She maintained that the medal belonged to her through legitimate channels, supported by President Andrew Johnson's original authorization. Her response to officials requesting the medal's return was documented in letters stating: "You can have it over my dead body." She wore the medal daily as an act of protest against the revocation, emphasizing her rightful recognition for medical service during wartime.

President Jimmy Carter signed legislation on June 10, 1977, restoring Dr. Mary Edwards Walker's Medal of Honor 58 years after her death. This action reaffirmed her unique status as the only female recipient of the nation's highest military decoration.

Congress passed Public Law 95-38 in 1977, specifically addressing Dr. Walker's Medal of Honor case. The legislation recognized her distinguished service during the Civil War as a contract surgeon through documentation from military records. Representative Margaret Heckler of Massachusetts spearheaded the bill, gathering bipartisan support from 125 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives.

• Her documented bravery under fire while treating soldiers at the Battle of Chickamauga
• Her four-month imprisonment as a POW at Castle Thunder
• Her sustained service as a civilian contract surgeon from 1861-1865

Reinstatement Details	Data
Reinstatement Date	June 10, 1977
Public Law Number	95-38
Congressional Co-sponsors	125
Years After Death	58
Original Award Date	November 11, 1865

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker's Medal of Honor distinction transcends her individual achievement, establishing a precedent for women's recognition in military service. Her unique status among 3,527 total Medal of Honor recipients underscores the exceptional nature of her contributions to American military history.

Dr. Walker's Medal of Honor sparked discussions about women's roles in military service throughout the 20th century. Her accomplishments influenced policy changes in 1976 when women gained admission to military service academies. The U.S. Military Academy at West Point cited Walker's example during congressional hearings on gender integration, highlighting her competence in battlefield medicine under fire. Her legacy contributed to expanded combat roles for women, culminating in the 2015 decision to open all military positions to female service members.

Dr. Walker's Medal of Honor represents a documented milestone in military decoration history. Her award challenged 19th-century gender restrictions in medicine, military service, and public recognition. Museums across the United States, including the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, Maryland, display exhibitions featuring her medal and uniform. The U.S. Postal Service commemorated her achievements with a 20-cent stamp in 1982, part of the Great Americans series. Military installations honor her contributions through dedicated facilities, such as the Dr. Mary E. Walker Center at Fort Irwin, California, established in 1985 to support female service members.

• Dr. Mary Edwards Walker received the Medal of Honor on November 11, 1865, becoming the first and only woman to receive this prestigious military decoration.
• Her Medal of Honor was awarded for her service as a civilian surgeon during the Civil War, where she treated wounded soldiers, crossed enemy lines, and served four months as a prisoner of war.
• The medal was controversially revoked in 1917 along with 910 others during a Congressional review, but Dr. Walker refused to return it and continued wearing it until her death in 1919.
• President Jimmy Carter officially restored her Medal of Honor posthumously in 1977 through Public Law 95-38, reaffirming her unique status in military history.
• Dr. Walker's achievement broke significant gender barriers and influenced later policies on women's roles in military service, including their integration into service academies and combat positions.

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker's Medal of Honor stands as a testament to her extraordinary courage and dedication during the Civil War. Her groundbreaking achievement as the only female recipient set a powerful precedent for women in military service. Despite facing revocation of her medal in 1917 she steadfastly defended her right to the honor until her death.

The 1977 reinstatement of her Medal of Honor by President Jimmy Carter cemented her place in American military history. Today her legacy continues to inspire generations and remind us that bravery and service know no gender. Dr. Walker's remarkable story proves that determination and unwavering commitment to duty can break through even the strongest societal barriers.