Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

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War on Terrorism (Iraq) - U.S. Army

Paul Ray Smith

Details
  • Rank: Sergeant First Class
  • Conflict/Era: War on Terrorism (Iraq)
  • Unit/Command:
    Company B, 11th Engineer Battalion,
    3d Infantry Division
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: April 4, 2003
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Baghdad Airport, Baghdad, Iraq
Citation

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.

Medal of Honor Recipient Paul R. Smith
Medal of Honor Recipient Paul R. Smith
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida
  • Awarded Posthumously: Yes
  • Presentation Date & Details: April 4, 2005

    The White House (East Ballroom) by President George W. Bush to his son David Smith

  • Born: September 24, 1969, El Paso, El Paso County, TX, United States
  • Died: April 4, 2003, Baghdad, Iraq
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery, Secton MD-67, Arlington, VA, United States
 

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