The Only Woman Medal of Honor Recipient 📜Video Overview: Dr. Mary Edwards Walker grew up in a progressive family and became one of the few female doctors of her time. During the Civil War, women were barred from serving as medical officers, but Walker volunteered with the Union Army as a nurse and surgeon, risking her life to treat soldiers on both sides of the battlefield. In 1864, she was captured by Confederate forces while serving with the 52nd Ohio Infantry and held for four months. In 186