Bryant E. Womack
Encyclopedia
Bryant Homer Womack was a soldier in the United States Army
during the Korean War
. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor
for his actions on March 12, 1952. Womack Army Medical Center
, Fort Bragg
, North Carolina, is named for him.
. He was the son of George and Julie Womack and had three brothers and one sister. He grew up working as a farm laborer and picked peaches during the summer. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding bicycles.
Womack was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Korea as a private first class
with the Medical Company of the 14th Infantry Regiment
, 25th Infantry Division. During a firefight on March 12, 1952, near Sokso-ri, his unit began taking heavy casualties. Womack exposed himself to enemy fire in order to treat wounded soldiers. When he was himself wounded, he refused medical treatment and continued to give aid to others. He was the last soldier to withdraw from the engagement and died of his injuries soon after. He was officially issued the Medal of Honor the next year, on January 12, 1953.
Aged 20 at his death, Womack was buried at Lebanon Methodist Church in his hometown of Mill Spring.
, 25th Infantry Division
Place and date: Near Sokso-ri, Korea
, March 12, 1952
Entered service at: Mill Springs, N.C. Birth: Mill Springs, North Carolina
G.O. No.: 5, January 12, 1953
Citation:
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions on March 12, 1952. Womack Army Medical Center
Womack Army Medical Center
Womack Army Medical Center is a United States Army-run military hospital that is located on Fort Bragg in near Fayetteville, North Carolina. The facility is named for Medal of Honor winner Bryant H. Womack. It contains 138 beds with 66,542 patients visit the hospital's emergency room; a total of...
, Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg (North Carolina)
Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
, North Carolina, is named for him.
Biography
Womack was born and raised in Mill Spring, Polk County, North CarolinaPolk County, North Carolina
Polk County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 20,510. Its county seat is Columbus.-History:The county was formed in 1855 from parts of Henderson County and Rutherford County...
. He was the son of George and Julie Womack and had three brothers and one sister. He grew up working as a farm laborer and picked peaches during the summer. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding bicycles.
Womack was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Korea as a private first class
Private First Class
Private First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term...
with the Medical Company of the 14th Infantry Regiment
U.S. 14th Infantry Regiment
The 14th Infantry Regiment is a United States Army light infantry regiment, known as the Golden Dragons. It has been active in every major conflict since its creation, except World War I, including the American Civil War, Boxer Rebellion, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Desert...
, 25th Infantry Division. During a firefight on March 12, 1952, near Sokso-ri, his unit began taking heavy casualties. Womack exposed himself to enemy fire in order to treat wounded soldiers. When he was himself wounded, he refused medical treatment and continued to give aid to others. He was the last soldier to withdraw from the engagement and died of his injuries soon after. He was officially issued the Medal of Honor the next year, on January 12, 1953.
Aged 20 at his death, Womack was buried at Lebanon Methodist Church in his hometown of Mill Spring.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Medical Company, 14th Infantry RegimentU.S. 14th Infantry Regiment
The 14th Infantry Regiment is a United States Army light infantry regiment, known as the Golden Dragons. It has been active in every major conflict since its creation, except World War I, including the American Civil War, Boxer Rebellion, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Desert...
, 25th Infantry Division
Place and date: Near Sokso-ri, Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, March 12, 1952
Entered service at: Mill Springs, N.C. Birth: Mill Springs, North Carolina
G.O. No.: 5, January 12, 1953
Citation:
Pfc. Womack distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Pfc. Womack was the only medical aid man attached to a night combat patrol when sudden contact with a numerically superior enemy produced numerous casualties. Pfc. Womack went immediately to their aid, although this necessitated exposing himself to a devastating hail of enemy fire, during which he was seriously wounded. Refusing medical aid for himself, he continued moving among his comrades to administer aid. While he was aiding 1 man, he was again struck by enemy mortarMortar (weapon)A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
fire, this time suffering the loss of his right arm. Although he knew the consequences should immediate aid not be administered, he still refused aid and insisted that all efforts be made for the benefit of others that were wounded. Although unable to perform the task himself, he remained on the scene and directed others in first aid techniques. The last man to withdraw, he walked until he collapsed from loss of blood, and died a few minutes later while being carried by his comrades. The extraordinary heroism, outstanding courage, and unswerving devotion to his duties displayed by Pfc. Womack reflect the utmost distinction upon himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army.
See also
- List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients