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Iraqi War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith, US Army
Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smiths family wait as the citation to his Medal of Honor award is read April 4, 2005, at the White House. (From left) Daughter Jessica, 18; wife, Birgit; and son David, 11, honor the two-year anniversary of Smiths death by receiving the award from President George W. Bush. In the background stands the first Medal of Honor flag be given. Staff Sgt. Reeba Critser
Family says Medal of Honor belongs to all Operation Iraqi Freedom Soldiers
By Eric Cramer
April 5, 2005
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, April 5, 2005) -- Birgit Smith, wife of Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith, told reporters outside the White House April 4 that that her late husbands actions speak louder than any words.
Paul represents the best of all our Soldiers, and most especially those who have lost their lives, Birgit Smith said, following a ceremony in which President George W. Bush presented her 11-year-old son David with the Medal of Honor for his fathers efforts.
Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith earned the Medal of Honor after being killed while defending his troops outside Baghdad, Iraq, on April 4, 2003. He manned the .50-caliber machinegun on a damaged M-113 armored personnel carrier and used the weapon to fend off an attack by an estimated 50 to 100 members of Saddam Husseins Republican Guard.
His family received the medal on the second anniversary of his death.
Every one of our Soldiers deserves the name of hero, Birgit Smith said. They have answered a noble call the call of duty.
She said her husband was aware of the sacrifices he could be called up on to make in battle.
Even though he died, he would not have had it any other way, she said.
Smiths mother, Janice Pvirre, said that although the Medal of Honor was presented for her sons combat efforts, to her it represents much more.
The compensation Im getting is that my son is being recognized for a lifetime of achievement, Pvirre said.
Birgit Smith told reporters that she and Bush talked about her husband.
The president thanked me for my husbands life, and said he was sorry, she said.
Hes a great man, thats all I have to say about him, she said of the president.
Asked if her husband ever expressed doubt over what he was doing, Birgit Smith said, Never, never for a minute.
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