National War Memorial Registry, War Memorial Catalog Of United States

DR. MARY EDWARDS WALKER IS THE SOLE WOMEN TO HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR. THAT SHE RECEIVED THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD A TIME WHEN WOMEN'S ROLES WERE STRICTLY CIRCUMSCRIBED MAKES HER ESPECIALLY SIGNIFICANT. IN EARLY 1864, WALKER AS APPOINTED A CIVILIAN CONTRACT SURGEON TO THE 52ND OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. COURAGEOUSLY, WALKER TRAVEL TO WHEREVER SHE WAR NEEDED INCLUDING THE FRONT LINES WHERE SHE WAS TAKEN PRISONER BY THE CONFEDERATES. SHE WAS LATER RELEASED IN A POW EXCHANGE. AFTER THE WAR PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON GRANTED DR. WALKER THE MEDAL OF HONOR FOR THE "UNTIRING EFFORTS" ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT. IN 1917 THE MEDAL OF HONOR BOARD REMOVED HER NAME FROM THE LIST OF RECIPIENTS. IN 1977 THE ARMY BOARD OF CORRECTIONS RESTORED THE MEDAL OF HONOR TO DR. MARY WALKER, STATING THAT HER ACTS OF "DISTINGUISHED GALLANTRY, SELF SACRIFICE, PATRIOTISM, DEDICATION AND UNFLINCHING LOYALTY TO HER COUNTRY DESPITE THE APPARENT DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE OF HER SEX" WARRANTED THE AWARD. DR. WALKER WORE HER MEDAL UNTIL THE DAY SHE DIED.