Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith
United States Army
KIA 4 Apr 2003
33, of Tampa, Fla.; assigned to 11th Engineer Battalion, Fort Stewart, Ga.; killed leading a
counterattack against the enemy at Baghdad Airport in Iraq.
Tributes

This Memorial Page Established by-SFC Rod Brewer
In Honor Of SFC Paul R. Smith

Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith, 33, of Tampa,
Florida. Smith was killed in action on April 4, 2003, in Iraq. Smith was
assigned to the 11th Engineer Battalion, Fort Stewart, Georgia. SFC Paul
Ray Smith was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for
his actions on the 4th of April 2003 in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Go to
www.stewart.army.mil click on the news section and his picture. There
are numerous links,cmohs, St Petersburg Times the Armys reenactment of
the battle. Paul, You Will Not Be Forgotten.... and You Will Always be
My Hero... Sappers in the wire... Christmas in Arlington... Rest easy,
sleep well my brother. Know the line has held, your job is done. Rest
easy, sleep well. Others have taken up where you have fell, the line has
held. Peace, peace, and farewell.... Rod.
Sign Guestbook
Medal of honor
Citation
Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith
*SMITH, PAUL R.

Rank and Organization: Sergeant First Class, United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty:Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished
himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty
in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad,
Iraq on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in
the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was
violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the
vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly
organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one
Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight
developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to
personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons,
and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored
personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar
round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First
Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine
gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard
for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the
attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His
courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as
many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of
numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith’s extraordinary
heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of
the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry
Division “Rock of the Marne,” and the United States Army.