May God Bless You Both

   Pride! We all want some and love to share pride whenever we can. During the Korean War two soldiers of the United States Army were just "doing their job". However, they did it, as we love to say and hear, "above and beyond". What was it that made these two men do what they did? Their family upbringing? Their dedication and unyielding faith in their country?  We may never know the answers, but we do know about these two very special men. They have been acknowledged by their country for their deeds. They both received the highest award we can give, The Congressional Medal of Honor! Is it too presumptuous of us to believe that this award is even more special because the ribbon is Carolina blue? This week, it is our pleasure to present both Private First Class Bryant H. Womack and Corporal Jerry K. Crump.

   Their story is both an inspiration and a big hurt. Inspiration because we are overwhelmed that any human being could do what they did. A big hurt because they were willing to sacrifice their lives at such a young age. If we stop to meditate on their deeds, we are always overwhelmed. Now it is time for us to be eternally grateful and never forget.

   Bryant Womack was the only medical aid man attached to a night combat patrol on March 12, 1952 near Sokso-ri Korea. Suddenly a numerically superior enemy produced numerous casualties. Private Womack went immediately to their aid exposing himself to a devastating hail of enemy fire. As a result he was seriously wounded. Refusing medical aid for himself, he continued moving among his comrades to administer aid. While aiding a fellow soldier, he was again struck by enemy mortar fire and suffered the loss of his right arm. He knew the consequences of not getting immediate aid for himself, but he continued to give all his efforts to the benefit of others. Unable to perform the tasks himself, he remained on the scene and instructed others what to do. He was the last man to withdraw and he walked finally collapsing from loss of blood. He died a few minutes later. The Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg, is named in his honor.

   Jerry Crump's heroic acts of courage happened during the night on Hill 284 near Chorwon, Korea, when the enemy launched an assault against his platoon. Corporal Crump repeatedly exposed himself to deliver effective return fire. He inflicted numerous casualties on the enemy. Observing two enemy soldiers endeavoring to capture a friendly machine gun, he charged and killed both with his bayonet regaining control of the weapon. Returning to his position, now occupied by four of his wounded comrades, he continued his accurate fire into the enemy troops surrounding his emplacement. When a hostile soldier hurled a grenade into the position, Corporal Crump flung himself over the missile, absorbing the blast with his body and saving his comrades from death or serious injury. His aggressive actions so inspired his comrades, that a spirited counterattack drove the enemy from the perimeter. He was later promoted to Master Sergeant, Company L, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. He lived until 1977.

   As we headlined our story, may we once again simply say with gratitude, may God Bless you both.

Editors Note: In August of 2008 at the Rutherford County courthouse, we discovered two pictures. When the courthouse was open, the left door hid the pictures. Both pictures were of Rutherford and Polk County soldiers from the Korean War who were recipients of the highest military honor, awarded for personal acts of valor “above and beyond the call of duty”, the Medal of Honor. Once discovered, and after some research, a special in depth story about these two heroic men was printed on the front page of Rutherford Weekly.  Quite frankly, these two heros were not being given their just due. They were not only hidden, but forgotten. After our article appeared, the portraits were moved down the hall and finally, not hidden. Every person who lives in the county and every school boy and girl needs to know about these two men. One who began his Army career in Forest City and the other, a farm boy and neighbor from Polk County. The names of Corporal Jerry K. Crump and Private First Class Bryant H. Womack should forever be proudly imbedded in the minds of our citizens. With this in mind, here, once again is their story as it appeared in our September 4, 2008 edition.