MOH

Medal of Honor: Bryant E. Womack – U.S. Army – Korean War

The patrol was cut down by enemy fire. The medic kept moving from man to man.

March 12, 2026

Name: Bryant E. Womack
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Medical Company, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Place: Near Sokso-ri, Korea
Entered Service At: Mill Springs, North Carolina
Born: Mill Springs, North Carolina
G.O. No.: 5, 12 January 1953

Summary of Action

During a night combat patrol near Sokso-ri, Korea, Private First Class Bryant E. Womack served as the only medic attached to the patrol.

Suddenly, the patrol came under heavy attack from a numerically superior enemy force.

Within moments, several soldiers were wounded.

Womack immediately rushed forward to treat the casualties, fully exposed to intense enemy fire.

During his efforts he was seriously wounded.

He refused treatment.

Instead, he continued moving among the wounded soldiers, administering aid and attempting to save as many lives as possible.

While treating one of the injured men, enemy mortar fire struck again.

The blast tore away Womack’s right arm.

Even then, he refused medical attention for himself and insisted that all aid be directed toward the other wounded soldiers.

Unable to continue treatment himself, he calmly instructed others on how to administer first aid.

Only after every wounded soldier had been attended to did Womack begin to withdraw.

He was the last man to leave the battlefield.

Despite massive blood loss, he walked with the patrol until he finally collapsed.

Carried by his comrades, Private First Class Bryant E. Womack died a few minutes later.

His courage and devotion to the wounded he served remain among the most powerful examples of battlefield sacrifice in the history of the United States Army Medical Corps.

Medal of Honor Citation

WOMACK, BRYANT E.

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Medical Company, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Sokso-ri, Korea, 12 March 1952.
Entered service at: Mill Springs, N.C.
Birth: Mill Springs, N.C.
G.O. No.: 5, 12 January 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 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.