Honoring SFC Paul Ray Smith
April 10th, 2008 by Admin
The following email was sent out by Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell, IV on April 2nd referencing Medal of Honor recipient SFC Paul Ray Smith. LTG William B. Caldwell IV is the current Commanding General, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and oversees the Command and General Staff College and seventeen other schools, centers and training programs. He replaced General David H. Petraeus, whom we all know and love quite well. It's a wonderful tribute to a true hero and warrior. It also shows that our most senior leadership in the military care deeply for the lives of their troops, regardless of whether they fall within direct command of them or not.
Team — wanted to remind everyone of the significance that was made on 4 April 2003, for our Army and our Nation.
4 April 2008 (this Friday) will mark the fifth year anniversary of the incredible sacrifice of SFC Paul Ray Smith, our first Congressional Medal of Honor awardee in the War on Terror, and the only one awarded to a Soldier in our Army.
Would ask each of you, as appropriate, have your organizations take a moment to remember him and his incredible commitment to our Nation. [Below is] a letter and [video removed, but available at the site below]. The letter summarizes the amazing story of SFC Paul Smith's selfless acts on that day and the video demonstrates that he raised his son, David, with the same commitment, dedication and selfless attitude.
Would also encourage you to learn more of SFC Smith's courageous actions on that day by going to the Army's website dedicated to honoring SFC Smith at http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/smith/ .
At that site, you can also watch several videos highlighting the strength and commitment of his widow, Birgit and their family as they celebrate the life of this incredible leader. SFC Smith epitomized the Warrior Ethos and core values of our Army. On 4 April, let's honor this incredible Soldier, leader, husband, and father. We must never forget our heroes and the sacrifices they, and their families, have made for us all.V/r — WBCIV "Frontier 6"
LTG William B. Caldwell, IV
Commander, Combined Arms Center & Ft Leavenworth and Commandant, Command and General Staff CollegeFrontier 6 SENDS:
Remembering Our HeroesFive years ago today elements of the 3rd Infantry Division were fighting near Baghdad International Airport. That battle might have simply been remembered as one more stop on the journey if not for the actions of one, SFC Paul Ray Smith. For on that day, SFC Smith placed the needs and welfare of his Soldiers and his country above his own.
SFC Smith's unit was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of more than 100 fellow soldiers, SFC Smith quickly organized a hasty defense. He 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 APC struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, SFC Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. He singlehandedly manned the gun from an exposed position with total disregard for his own life. 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.
For his actions that day, SFC Smith became the first person to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor in the War on Terror. Currently only two other individuals have received our Nation's highest military award in more than six years of war; CPL Jason Dunham and LT Michael Murphy.
A fourth has been approved for Navy Seal Mickey Monsoor and will be presented shortly. Since it's creation in 1861 only 3463 have received the award. SFC Smith serves as an example of all of our heroes and the Families who selflessly support them. For more than 233 years Soldiers have made the commitment to leave family and the safety and comforts of home to protect our nation and preserve liberty. They have answered the call "This We'll Defend."
On the anniversary of SFC Smith's incredible sacrifice, let's take a moment to remember all of our heroes.
WILLIAM B. CALDWELL, IV
Lieutenant General, USA
Commanding
