A House resolution has been introduced to award Lt. Eric Fisher Wood Jr. the Medal of Honor for his fight to the death behind enemy lines in the Battle of the Bulge.
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The US Army still officially lists Lt. Eric Fisher Wood Jr. as killed in action on Dec. 17, 1944. That was the day he was separated from his artillery unit as it was swept over by the sudden and devastating blitzkrieg of German forces that came to be known as the Battle of the Bulge. But the stories of local Belgians confirm Lt. Wood did not die that day.
Instead, Lt. Wood located other stranded American soldiers and organized them into an ad-hoc unit, engaging in guerilla warfare against the advancing Germany army. They constantly harassed German patrols and disrupted their communications and supply lines. Over the course of several weeks, Wood and his men are credited with the deaths of more than 200 German soldiers.
Lt. Wood not only demonstrated incredible grit and determination in his resistance to the German advance, but he eventually gave his last full measure of devotion in defense of his country and the freedom’s we still hold and cherish today. He made his final stand near the village of Meyerode in Belgium. We may never know the details of his last moments but, judging by the seven dead German soldiers surrounding his body, we know he fought to the end.
Lt. Wood answered a call of duty he believed to be greater than himself and more cherished than his own life. Contrary to the opinions of some, history does not arc towards inevitable ends. Rather, history pivots on the actions of those who refuse to submit to the torrents of calamity and who give all they have so that those that remain may chart a better course.
Recently, legislation has been introduced to award Lt. Wood the Medal of Honor for his dogged determination to stay in the fight and the final sacrifice he gave to his country. I offer my full support to House Resolution 7835 and encourage everyone to reach out to their Representatives in support of this measure.
May we always remember and honor those who didn’t make it back home. Let us devote all our efforts and aspirations towards continually securing the freedoms and liberties so many have sacrificed to preserve.