 The soldiers at Fort Adams showed their appreciation by collecting $218 for her.On July 16, 1881, she was awarded the rare Gold Lifesaving Medal from the United States government – the first woman to receive it – for her rescue on February 4, 1881, of two soldiers from Fort Adams who had fallen through the ice while attempting to return to the fort on foot.Because of her many rescues, Lewis became the best-known lighthouse keeper of her day.