Early on, Medals of Honor were passed out like candy. In the Civil War, a unit of men was awarded for actions that took place after they demobilized. In 1917 an Army Medal of Honor inquiry stripped 911 medals from the “undeserving”. This includes the only female recipient, who was a surgeon in the Civil War and POW after she crossed the lines to treat civilians.
Early on, Medals of Honor were passed out like candy. In the Civil War, a unit of men was awarded for actions that took place after they demobilized. In 1917 an Army Medal of Honor inquiry stripped 911 medals from the “undeserving”. This includes the only female recipient, who was a surgeon in the Civil War and POW after she crossed the lines to treat civilians.