Women Warriors in US Military History
- ryandelnero5
- Mar 19
- 4 min read
Stories of Courage, Sacrifice, and Service From the Revolution to Today
Women have served on America’s battlefields since before the nation’s founding, often hidden by necessity and ignored by history. Their stories—brave, daring, and inspiring—deserve to be remembered and told with the same reverence afforded to their male counterparts. This is a look at just a few of the women whose service shaped U.S. military history.
Deborah Sampson: A Revolutionary Soldier in Disguise
In 1782, Deborah Sampson did something almost unthinkable for a woman of her time: she disguised herself as a man and enlisted in the Continental Army under the name Robert Shurtliff. Standing over five feet seven inches tall—unusually tall for a woman in that era—she was able to pass as a young man and joined the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment.
Sampson fought bravely in several skirmishes, including a particularly brutal battle near Tarrytown, New York, where she sustained injuries to her thigh and forehead. Fearing discovery, she removed one of the musket balls from her own leg rather than seeking medical help. She served for nearly two years before her identity was discovered when she fell ill and required treatment.
Despite the risks, Sampson was honorably discharged in 1783 and later received a pension for her service—though it took years of petitioning Congress to secure it. After the war, she traveled the country sharing her story, one of the first women in America to go on a paid lecture tour.
Cathay Williams: The Only Known Female Buffalo Soldier
Born into slavery in Missouri in 1844, Cathay Williams gained her freedom during the Civil War when Union forces occupied her region. However, economic hardships and limited opportunities for Black women led her to an extraordinary decision. In 1866, Williams disguised herself as a man and enlisted in the U.S. Army under the name William Cathay.
She served with the 38th U.S. Infantry Regiment, part of the legendary Buffalo Soldiers. Her ruse lasted nearly two years before she was discovered during a medical examination. Despite being discharged, Williams later worked as a seamstress and cook but struggled with health issues for much of her life. Her enlistment made her the first—and to date, only—Black woman known to have served in the U.S. Army as a Buffalo Soldier.
Cathay Williams’ service is a testament to determination and courage in a time when both her race and gender severely limited her opportunities. Her legacy, though once obscured, has been reclaimed and honored in modern military history.
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker: Battlefield Surgeon and Medal of Honor Recipient
Mary Edwards Walker was a woman far ahead of her time. Born in 1832, she became one of the few female physicians in the United States by the time the Civil War broke out. Refusing to be relegated to the sidelines, Walker volunteered her services as a surgeon for the Union Army.
Initially denied a position due to her gender, she persisted and was eventually appointed as an assistant surgeon, serving on the front lines. She treated wounded soldiers in battle and often crossed enemy lines to care for civilians and Confederate prisoners. In 1864, she was captured by Confederate troops and held as a prisoner of war for several months.
For her service and bravery, Mary Edwards Walker was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1865—the only woman to ever receive it. Although the medal was rescinded in 1917 during a purge of 900 awards, it was posthumously reinstated in 1977. Walker was known for her uncompromising views on women’s rights and frequently wore men’s clothing, challenging societal norms both in and out of uniform.
Ann E. Dunwoody: Breaking the Four-Star Barrier
Ann E. Dunwoody made history in 2008 when she became the first woman in U.S. military history to attain the rank of four-star general. Her military career began in 1975 when she was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Women’s Army Corps, a time when women were still banned from many combat roles.
Over a 33-year career, Dunwoody broke multiple barriers, culminating in her appointment as Commanding General of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. She was responsible for one of the largest logistics commands in the world, overseeing a global operation of more than 69,000 employees and a multi-billion-dollar budget.
Dunwoody’s promotion was a watershed moment, proving that women could not only participate in the highest levels of military leadership but excel there. Her career paved the way for future generations of female leaders in the military.
Lori Piestewa: A Modern-Day Warrior and Hero
Lori Piestewa was a member of the Hopi tribe and the first Native American woman to die in combat while serving in the U.S. military. She was part of the 507th Maintenance Company during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. On March 23, 2003, her convoy was ambushed near Nasiriyah.
Piestewa was driving a Humvee when it was hit. Despite severe injuries, she fought to protect her fellow soldiers. She ultimately succumbed to her wounds but was posthumously recognized for her bravery and sacrifice. Her story brought attention not only to her own courage but to the role of Native Americans and women in modern combat.
In her honor, Arizona renamed one of its most prominent landmarks, Squaw Peak, as Piestewa Peak. Lori Piestewa’s legacy continues to inspire service members and Native communities across the nation.
Women on the Front Lines: Then and Now
These women represent just a fraction of the countless female service members who have fought and sacrificed for the United States. From Margaret Corbin, who took her husband’s place at the cannon during the Revolutionary War and became the first woman to receive a military pension, to Leigh Ann Hester, the first woman awarded the Silver Star for valor in direct combat in Iraq, women have long been on the front lines—officially or otherwise.
Today, women serve openly in all military roles, including combat, aviation, and special operations forces. Their contributions continue to shape the modern military and challenge outdated perceptions about who can lead, who can fight, and who can serve.
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