Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith

Medal of Honor Recipient

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, March 7, 2022

1. Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith Marker

Inscription.

Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith. Medal of Honor Recipient. Official Citation The President of the United States of America, authorized by the Act of Congress, April 4, 2005, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith United States Army . 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 the 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, . This historical marker was erected by Hillsborough County. It is in Tampa in Hillsborough County Florida

Official Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by the Act of Congress, April 4, 2005, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to

Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith
United States Army

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

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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 the 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,

Erected by Hillsborough County.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, 2nd Iraq. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 4, 2005.

Location. 27° 58.586′ N, 82° 21.782′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, March 7, 2022

2. Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith Marker

Memorial can be reached from U.S. 301, 0.2 miles south of East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located within Hillsborough County Veterans Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3602 N US Highway 301, Tampa FL 33619, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Medal of Honor (here, next to this marker); First Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez (here, next to this marker); Bataan Death March Bridge (a few steps from this marker); US Army Howitzer 75mm (within shouting distance of this marker); US Army Stuart M3A1 Light Tank (within shouting distance of this marker); Navy Seabees (within shouting distance of this marker); Hillsborough County World War I Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Douglas MacArthur (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.

Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Arlington National Cemetery

3. Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith

Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 94 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 17, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.