was earned on this day in 2003. It was earned by SFC Paul R. Smith, and I was there at the airport when it happened. I know that some of y’all may have heard of him and also that most of y’all never knew him, but I try to acknowledge his memory every year at this time. Paul was the first Engineer to die in either Afghanistan or Iraq. Paul was a truly great mentor and an even better friend. Below are some links that tell his story, if you are interested. After the battle was over, they determined that his SAPI plates had been hit 27 times before he was fatally wounded.
Pentagon Channel Documentary Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MPNVt7RMmA&feature=related
Pentagon Channel Documentary Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKKV_AH09Ik&feature=related
2010 Memorial Ceremony from Actual Site at the Airport, Intro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so2duiLWj4g&feature=related
2010 Memorial Ceremony from Actual Site at the Airport Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCvuhJoeHpQ&feature=related
2010 Memorial Ceremony from Actual Site at the Airport Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzaaqGq8CPk&feature=related


Sorry, I couldn't get the hyperlinks to work properly.

AGGIE12B
JC '88
If you value the Freedom and Liberties you have in your life, be sure to Thank a Veteran everyday!

Mooch98 did the hyperlinks on the General board where I also posted this. Thanks Mooch

AGGIE12B
JC '88
If you value the Freedom and Liberties you have in your life, be sure to Thank a Veteran everyday!

Here's some help with that:

Pentagon Channel Documentary Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MPNVt7RMmA&feature=related
Pentagon Channel Documentary Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKKV_AH09Ik&feature=related
2010 Memorial Ceremony from Actual Site at the Airport, Intro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so2duiLWj4g&feature=related
2010 Memorial Ceremony from Actual Site at the Airport Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCvuhJoeHpQ&feature=related
2010 Memorial Ceremony from Actual Site at the Airport Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzaaqGq8CPk&feature=related

Just to add to what has already been mentioned, here is the Medal of Honor citation:

quote:

---

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 April 4, 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 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 60 mm 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.

---

And here is a direct quote from SFC Smith made to his parents in a letter prior to his deployment:

quote:

---

There are two ways to come home, stepping off the plane and being carried off the plane. It doesn't matter how I come home, because I am prepared to give all that I am to ensure that all my boys make it home.

---

All quotes come from his wikipedia page found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_R._Smith

Thanks Aggie12B for sharing those videos with us.

After I heard about this, I walked back that way until I found the hole in the wall and the tower. I would have thought someone would post a plaque or memorial of some type for him, but there was nothing, and everyone was just going about their business, oblivious to the ultimate sacrifice paid by SFC Paul R. Smith.



















[This message has been edited by b.blauser (edited 4/18/2011 10:30a).]

Wow...

I just came across this thread and wow! Fantastic story...a true hero!

bblauser, thanks for the great pictures. I have WAY TOO MANY bad memories of that courtyard. I got rid of all my pictures.

AGGIE12B
JC '88
If you value the Freedom and Liberties you have in your life, be sure to Thank a Veteran everyday!

Thanks for the thread...a true American hero worthy of the MOH.