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Iraqi War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith, US Army
Arlington Cemetery marker memorializes Medal of Honor Recipient
Shortly after unveiling her late husbands new headstone, Birgit Smith visits his grave April 5, 2005, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Smiths husband, Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, was mortally wounded saving his platoon in Operation Iraqi Freedom and is the first Soldier to receive the Medal of Honor in the conflict. Staff Sgt. Reeba Critser
Family says Medal of Honor belongs to all Operation Iraqi Freedom Soldiers
By Eric Cramer
April 6, 2005
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Army News Service, April 6, 2005) -- Capping two days of events honoring Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith, the first Medal of Honor recipient in the War on Terrorism , dignitaries and his family dedicated his marker in Arlington National Cemetery April 5.
Smith earned the Medal of Honor in a fight near the Baghdad International Airport on April 4, 2003. In that fight, he manned a .50-caliber machinegun on an armored personnel carrier and used it to hold off an estimated 100 members of Saddam Husseins Republican Guard while men in his platoon evacuated wounded Soldiers. He received a fatal wound to the head in this defensive action.
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston said the marker will provide a lasting example for Soldiers and citizens.
This stone will give Soldiers past and present, and those who aspire to wear the uniform of a Soldier, the opportunity to reflect on Pauls actions two years ago -- actions that saved the lives of 100 of his fellow Soldiers, Preston said. It is because of his dedication that Paul solidified the very core of our Army. On that day, 100 American Soldiers witnessed and learned leadership of extraordinary proportions -- leadership that changed and influenced their lives forever.
Paul was honored with the highest award our nation can bestow a hero. He has become a part of history to his country, Preston said. For as long as our flag stands, these two hundred acres of sacred ground will cradle our heroes and the memory of Pauls commitment.
The ceremony at Arlington came after Smiths family received the Medal of Honor from President George W. Bush at the White House April 4. Smiths name was placed in the Pentagons Hall of Heroes in a separate ceremony earlier Tuesday.
Return to Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith Medal of Honor Homepage
Senior Army leaders and immediate family members of Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith grieve by his memorial headstone April 5, 2005, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Smiths family accepted the Medal of Honor on his behalf at the White House April 4, 2005. by Staff Sgt. Reeba Critser
Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston
Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston was sworn in as the 13th Sergeant Major of the Army on January 15, 2004. SMA Preston has held a variety of leadership positions throughout his career ranging from cavalry scout to command sergeant major.
As Sergeant Major of the Army, Preston serves as the Army Chief of Staff's personal adviser on all enlisted-related matters, particularly in areas affecting Soldier training and quality of life. He devotes the majority of his time to traveling throughout the Army observing training, and talking to Soldiers and their families. He sits on a wide variety of councils and boards that make decisions affecting enlisted Soldiers and their families and is routinely invited to testify before Congress.
Preston is a native of Mount Savage, Md., and was born Feb. 18, 1957. Preston entered the Army on June 30, 1975. He attended Basic Training and Armor Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Throughout his 29-year career, he has served in every enlisted leadership position from cavalry scout and tank commander to his current position as Sergeant Major of the Army. Other assignments he held as command sergeant major were 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, 3rd "Grey Wolf" Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Armored Division in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, and V Corps in Heidelberg, Germany.
His most recent assignment was as the command sergeant major for Combined Joint Task Force 7 serving in Baghdad, Iraq.
His military education includes Basic Noncommissioned Officer's Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer's Course, First Sergeant's Course, M1/M1A1 Tank Master Gunner Course, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer's Course, and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy.
His awards and decorations include two Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, four Army Meritorious Service Medals, one Joint Service Commendation Medal, four Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, nine Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense ribbons, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal , four NCOES Ribbons, the Army Service Ribbon, five Overseas Ribbons, the NATO Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Government of Kuwait), two Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, an Army Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Department of the Army Staff Badge.
He and his wife have three children.
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