Polk presents resolution to Womack Army Medical Center

Published 10:00 pm Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Polk County Commissioner Michael Gage presented a framed resolution in honor of Polk County’s Bryant H. Womack at a ceremony held in Womack’s honor at Fort Bragg earlier this month.

Gage and commissioners approved the resolution during a county meeting on Aug. 10, honoring the soldier for whom the Womack building in Columbus is named after as well as the Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg.

Gage said he and former commissioner Ted Owens attended the ceremony at Fort Bragg on Aug. 7 honoring Womack and celebrating the Womack Army Medical Center’s history.

“(Womack) is a true American hero,” Gage said. “This building is named after him. He was an amazing man from Polk County.”

Bryant Homer Womack was born in Mill Spring on May 12, 1931 to George and Julie Womack. He had three brothers and one sister and spent his youth working on a farm.

Womack was a United States Army soldier during the Korean War after being drafted in 1950. On March 12, 1952 near Sokso-ri, Korea there was a firefight where Womack’s unit took heavy casualties. Womack exposed himself to enemy fire to treat wounded soldiers, refusing treatment for his own injuries. He was the last soldier to withdraw and died of his injuries at the age of 20. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor and the Womack Army Medical Center was later named after him, as well as Polk County’s administrative building, the Womack building in Columbus.

Womack is buried at Lebanon Methodist Church in Mill Spring.

Following is a resolution approved by the Polk County Board of Commissioners and presented at Fort Bragg’s Womack Army Medical Center:

WHEREAS, Polk County native son Private First Class Bryant H. Womack, Army Medical Service, Medical Company, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy on 12 March 1952 near Sokso-ri, Korea; and

WHEREAS, Private Womack was the only medical aid man attached to a night combat patrol when sudden contact with a numerically superior enemy produced numerous casualties; and

WHEREAS, Private Womack went immediately to their aid, although this necessitated exposing himself to a devastating hail of enemy fire, during which he was seriously wounded; and

WHEREAS, refusing medical aid for himself, Private Womack continued moving among his comrades to administer aid and, while he was aiding one man, he was again struck by enemy mortar fire, this time suffering the loss of his right arm; and

WHEREAS, although Private Womack 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 who were wounded; and

WHEREAS, although unable to perform the task himself, Private Womack remained on the scene and directed others in first aid techniques; and

WHEREAS, as the last man to withdraw, Private Womack walked until he collapsed from loss of blood, and died a few minutes later while being carried by his comrades; and

WHEREAS, the extraordinary heroism, outstanding courage, and unswerving devotion to his duties displayed by Private Womack reflect the utmost distinction upon himself and uphold the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army; and

WHEREAS, Private Womack received the Medal of Honor for his actions on February 12, 1953; and

WHEREAS, dedicated to Bryant H. Womack on August 3, 1958, Fort Bragg’s Womack Army Medical Center celebrated its staff, patients, mission, and history with an Open House and Organizational Day on August 7, 2015.