Paul R. Smith
United States Army, War on Terrorism, Iraq
Paul Ray Smith was born on September 24, 1969, in El Paso, Texas. Following high school graduation in 1988, he joined the United States Army. The events of April 4, 2003 at Baghdad International Airport would lead to the first Medal of Honor recipient in the War on Terrorism.
Engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area Sergeant First Class Smith’s Task Force was 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.
On April 4, 2005 Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith’s wife Birgit, their son David and daughter Jessica were presented the Medal of Honor by President George W. Bush.
Watch video of the Medal of Honor presentation, courtesy the United States Army.
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