America's North Shore Journal » Paul Smith
Paul Smith Honored
Birgit Smith, widow of Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith, and her son David pose just moments after the 377-foot, 40-knot, Navy ship “Freedom” was launched Sept. 24. Smith is the sponsor of the littoral combat ship. Photo by Lt. Col. Leela Dawson Army News Service The Navy christened and launched the nation’s first Littoral Combat Ship, Freedom (LCS-1), at the Marinette Marine shipyard Sept. 23. Birgit Smith is the ship’s sponsor. She is the widow of Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery and gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Birgit broke a champagne bottle across the ship’s bow to formally christen the ship, which then made a dramatic side-launch into the Menominee River. Adm. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Paul Smith, War on Terror, WOT Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor – War on Terror
I’ve done some rearranging of categories to put all the posts directly related to the three Medal of Honor winners in the War on Terror into one category. WOT-Medal of Honor Citations: *DUNHAM, JASON L. Rank and Organization: Corporal, United States Marine Corps For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004. Corporal Dunham’s squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Jason Dunham, Michael P. Murphy, Paul Smith, War on Terror, WOT Medal of Honor
Paul Smith’s Legend Grows
Sgt. 1st Class Craig Zentkovich, Multi-National Division – Center Everybody has one. It may be a family member, a teacher, or a coach – an extraordinary person who makes such an impact that one’s life is forever changed. For Staff Sgt. Steven A. Holloway that one person was a friend, mentor and leader. The story of Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith is known to the nation. His actions in combat on April 4, 2003, above and beyond the call of duty, led to him being posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. On Aug. 10, Holloway, on his third combat tour to Iraq, raised his right hand to indefinitely reaffirm his commitment to the Army in the exact location where Smith gave his life to preserve those of his Soldiers. Holloway, a 12-year Army veteran, was … Read entire article »
Filed under: Paul Smith, WOT Heroes, WOT Medal of Honor
Sgt Paul Smith – Hero
Why isn’t Sgt. Paul Smith a household name? Mark at Liberty Just in Case asks that very same question. One Man Makes a Difference The Last Full Measure of Devotion … Read entire article »
Filed under: Iraq, Original writing, Paul Smith, War on Terror, WOT Heroes, WOT Medal of Honor
The Last Full Measure of Devotion
Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith The word “hero” is tossed around so casually these days that it has almost lost its meaning. Then comes the story of Army Sgt. Paul Smith, who reminds us what a real hero is. The 33-year-old soldier from Tampa was killed April 4 after valiantly fending off an Iraqi assault on his command post. Sgt. Smith was featured on this blog on April 22, 2003. He is one of the American Heroes whose stories I have collected. His family has been notified that President George Bush will award him, posthumously, the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery, truly above and beyond the call of duty. The story of Paul Smith should send chills down your spine. In the face of overwhelming odds, at the cost … Read entire article »
Filed under: Iraq, Obits, Paul Smith, War on Terror, WOT Heroes, WOT Medal of Honor
New York Post notes hero
Someone has been reading me! From today’s NY Post July 20, 2004 — NOTE: PostOpinion’s “American Heroes” series takes note of U.S. servicemembers decorated in the War on Terror. Their concept looks REMARKABLY like this: which is a page I set up several months ago to do EXACTLY THE SAME THING. My page was created the week of May 23, 2004. I think the Post owes me $1.95 for the concept. [grin] Here’s the e-mail I just sent the Post’s on-line op-ed editor: I discovered your op-ed piece on Sgt. Paul Smith this morning. I recognized him on my blog on April 22, 2003. In fact, as I recognized more and more of our heroes from the War on Terror, I realized that I needed to consolidate the posts in one place. During the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Media, Old Media, Paul Smith, WOT Heroes
One Man Makes a Difference
Army Sgt. Paul Smith BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Iraq — The Republican Guard complex adjacent to the airport seemed the ideal place for a prison: high stone walls surrounding a grassy courtyard. There was a guard tower, high enough so the American soldiers could monitor their Iraqi prisoners of war. Building the prison was assigned to Bravo company of the 11th Engineer Battalion, attached to the 2-7 Infantry. It was Friday morning, the first day of the 2nd Battalion 7th Infantry Regiment’s occupation of Saddam Hussein’s airport. They needed the space quickly. A tank company had already captured prisoners of war, while securing the perimeter on the eastern side of the airport. Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith readied his engineer squad to begin knocking down walls. He was a meticulous soldier who always wanted things … Read entire article »
Filed under: Iraq, Paul Smith, War on Terror, WOT Heroes, WOT Medal of Honor
Uncommon Valor
St. Petersburg Times The word “hero” is tossed around so casually these days that it has almost lost its meaning. Then comes the story of Army Sgt. Paul Smith, who reminds us what a real hero is. The 33-year-old soldier from Tampa was killed April 4 after valiantly fending off an Iraqi assault on his command post. Smith’s bravery in saving his troops is a story worth repeating. He was leading two dozen engineers building a prison at Baghdad International Airport when the contingent was attacked by 100 elite Republican Guards. As his soldiers fell around him, outmanned and outgunned, Smith dodged snipers and rocket grenades to tend to the wounded. He ran to a Humvee, grabbed a grenade and blew back the charging Iraqis. Then Smith climbed atop his armored vehicle … Read entire article »
Filed under: Iraq, Paul Smith, War on Terror, WOT Heroes, WOT Medal of Honor
Coming Soon: Future Posts
- Declaration of War 1812 (in 129 days)
- USS President vs HMS Belvidera (in 134 days)
- General Hull Invades Canada (in 153 days)
- First Battle of Sacketts Harbor (in 160 days)
On Y!CN
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- Fuel Convoy Reaches Nome
- Russians Sail to Rescue of Ice Bound Alaska Community
- Pope Embraces Anglicans in U.S. with New Ordinariate
- Nebraska Nuke Plant Placed on Special Inspection Status
- Radioactive Water Leaks at Japanese Nuke Site
- Japan Damaged Nuke Plants Still Not Under Control
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