The story of U.S. Army Surgeon Dr. Mary Walker brings to light the history of the Medal of Honor, why we award it, and who deserves it. On Medal of Honor Day, it’s important to remember this medal represents the highest levels of valor and sacrifice that few could emulate. The research I uncovered while writing Flamethrower made me aware of the irony that Dr. Walker, who was deserving according to the standards of the Civil War, had her Medal of Honor rescinded; while Woody Williams, who did not meet the standards of World War II, was allowed to keep his Medal of Honor.
Click here to read more about Dr. Mary Walker
Bryan Mark Rigg
AUTHOR OF FLAMETHROWER: IWO JIMA MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT AND U.S. MARINE WOODY WILLIAMS AND HIS CONTROVERSIAL AWARD, JAPAN’S HOLOCAUST AND THE PACIFIC WAR (FIDELIS HISTORIA PRESS, 2020)
