Why the United States Revoked Hundreds of Medals of Honor
Dr. Mary E. Walker was a civilian contract surgeon who was recommended for the Medal of Honor by Gen. William T. Sherman. Her award was revoked in 1917 and returned in 1977. (Library of Congress)
Dr. Mary Walker was a volunteer surgeon for the Union Army during the Civil War, treating the wounded in Washington and at the Battle of Bull Run.
Later, she became the first woman surgeon ever officially employed by the Army, seeing action at Fredericksburg, Chickamauga and Chattanooga. In 1864, she was captured by Confederate soldiers and spent four months in a prisoner-of-war camp. After the war, she was awarded the Medal of Honor for her service.