Question

Whereas it appears from official reports that Dr. Mary E. Walker, a graduate of medicine, "has rendered valuable service to the Government, and her efforts have been earnest and untiring in a variety of ways," and that she was assigned to duty and served as an assistant surgeon in charge of female prisoners at Louisville, Ky., upon the recommendation of Major-Generals Sherman and Thomas, and faithfully served as contract surgeon in the service of the United States, and has devoted herself with much patriotic zeal to the sick and wounded soldiers, both in the field and hospitals, to the detriment of her own health, and has also endured hardships as a prisoner of war four months in a Southern prison while acting as contract surgeon; and Whereas by reason of her not being a commissioned officer in the military service, a brevet or honorary rank cannot, under existing laws, be conferred upon her; and Whereas in the opinion of the President an honorable recognition of her services and sufferings should be made: It is ordered, that a testimonial thereof shall be hereby made and given to the said Dr. Mary E. Walker, and that the usual Medal of Honor for meritorious services be given her.

–Congressional Medal of Honor citation for Mary Edwards Walker, 1865

Which contributions did Mary Edwards Walker make to the war effort? Check all that apply.

She cared for prisoners of war.
She tended to wounded soldiers.
She worked as a battlefield surgeon.
She trained other doctors and nurses.
She served as an officer in the military.
She fought in combat beside male soldiers

Answer 1

Selected answers (with brief justification):

- She cared for prisoners of war. — Yes. The citation says she was "assistant surgeon in charge of female prisoners at Louisville, Ky." and was held four months as a prisoner of war.
- She tended to wounded soldiers. — Yes. The citation states she "devoted herself…to the sick and wounded soldiers, both in the field and hospitals."
- She worked as a battlefield surgeon. — Yes. The citation notes service "in the field" as a contract/assistant surgeon.
- She trained other doctors and nurses. — No. The citation and standard histories do not report her training other medical personnel as a primary role.
- She served as an officer in the military. — No. The citation explicitly notes she was not a commissioned officer and could not be given a brevet/honorary rank under existing law.
- She fought in combat beside male soldiers. — No. There is no evidence she served as a combatant; her role was medical.