The Answer:

The only woman to receive a Medal of Honor citation in the award's 138-year history was Dr. Mary Walker, an assistant surgeon and prisoner of war during America's Civil War.

She was given the award on November 11, 1865. Her medal was rescinded in 1916, however, when the Army purged its files to cut down on what they thought were "unwarranted" issues. It wasn't reinstated until 1976.

Here are some other links to help with your research:

• Full-text of MOH citations from the U.S. Army Center of Military History
• The Congressional Medal of Honor Society
• Congressional Medal of Honor statistics from infoplease.com

—The Editors