Despite all of these injuries, Womack was the last man to withdraw from engagement. He walked away from the battlefield only to collapse from loss of blood. Womack died, just two months shy of his 21st birthday, as fellow soldiers carried him away.
Elliot said receiving the news of her brother’s death back in 1952 hit her family hard. Womack was one of four sons born to George and Julie Womack of Sunny View.
“One of the soldiers he helped save was his lieutenant. His lieutenant promised if he ever got back to North Carolina he would look our parents up, and he did,” Elliot said.
Elliot said the unveiling of this portrait and the naming of a county building in memory of Womack would have humbled her brother.
“He would never have imagined all of this being done in his honor,” said Elliot. “[The portrait and building in his honor] means a lot, it all does, but all this won’t bring him back.”
The president of the United States awarded Womack the Medal of Honor posthumously on Jan. 12, 1953. The citation from his award includes these statements:
“Pfc. Womack distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy… 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.”
The county last winter commissioned artist Rich Nelson to create Womack’s portrait as a means of furthering area resident’s understanding of who Womack was and what he did for his country.
Nelson said he felt honored to capture Womack’s likeness.
“There was very little to go on – in fact just a single portrait of him. I worked hard to give him a look that was appropriate for the valor he showed but that also remained true to his personality as well,” Nelson said.
He said he was pleased to hear from Elliot that the portrait “looked just like him before he entered the army.”
The Womack name is used as the moniker for many other structures around the country including gymnasiums, bridges and streets. The most notable of structures bearing his name is the Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg, N.C.