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Private · U.S. Army

Bryant Homer Womack

Private Bryant Homer Womack, Army, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions on March 12, 1952 near Sokso-ri, Korea during the Korean War.

Private Bryant Homer Womack, a soldier in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on March 12, 1952 near Sokso-ri, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with Medical Company, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Womack was 20 years old.

Womack was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on January 7, 1953.

Womack was born on May 12, 1931 in Mill Spring, Polk County, North Carolina. He is buried at Lebanon Church Cemetery in Mill Spring, North Carolina.

Womack is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 22 credited to North Carolina.

Official Medal of Honor 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 aidman 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 one man, he was again struck by enemy mortar 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.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Wounds and death in action

What the citation records about his wounds:

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.
While he was aiding one man, he was again struck by enemy mortar fire, this time suffering the loss of his right arm.
  • Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (March 12, 1952).
  • Age at death: 20
  • Resting place: Lebanon Church Cemetery

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, Bryant Homer Womack received:

Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Korean War.

Life beyond the battlefield

  • Occupations: combat medic

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Mill Spring — map
  • Died: Korea — map
  • Buried: Lebanon Methodist Church Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in North Carolina →

Timeline

  1. May 12, 1931
    Born in Mill Spring, Polk County, North Carolina
  2. March 12, 1952
    Act of valor — near Sokso-ri, Korea
    Age 20. Medical Company, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division Killed in action.
  3. January 7, 1953
    Medal of Honor presented posthumously
  4. Resting place
    Lebanon Church Cemetery
    Mill Spring, North Carolina

Biography

Bryant Homer Womack (May 12, 1931 – March 12, 1952) was a United States Army soldier 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.

From the Wikipedia article “Bryant H. Womack”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Named in his honor

More Korean War recipients from North Carolina

Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.