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.
Congrats to jbravo for the FTF!