thedrifter
02-08-07, 02:43 PM
A Hero Who 'Walked His Talk'
By Matthew Dodd
Feb. 7, 2007
In the last (and un-mailed) letter a leader of soldiers wrote to his parents from Iraq, he told them how he was prepared to give "all that I am, to ensure that all my boys make it home."
I know many combat leaders feel, and have felt, the same way, but few are ever called on to 'walk their talk.' Of those leaders who receive that call, some are never given the chance to 'talk their walk.' Fortunately, others come forward to speak for those silenced fallen warriors. Let me share with you the story of one of those warriors, our first Medal of Honor hero from the ongoing global war on terrorism...
"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."
Just days before the fall of Baghdad, Smith and about fifteen of his soldiers were given the mission of establishing a compound to hold enemy prisoners, in the immediate vicinity of an army command post and medical aid center, with a combined personnel strength of about 100 fellow soldiers. What they found was an old Iraqi Republican Guard compound, complete with surrounding walls, an entrance gate, and a watch tower overlooking the compound. Establishing the existing compound was the easy part of this mission. Holding the compound would soon prove to be much more difficult.
Shortly after claiming the compound, Smith's soldiers discovered at least 100 Iraqi soldiers armed with rifles, grenades, and rocket-propelled grenades no more than about 200 yards away. The compound immediately came under constant, heavy fire from the advancing, numerically superior Iraqi force. The citation continues...
"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."
From varying accounts I have read, this battle for the compound materialized and escalated quickly. Soon, the Iraqis occupied and began using the dominating battlefield high ground - the watch tower - to great advantage. Then the enemy introduced mortars into the battle and quickly neutralized Smith's armored firepower 'equalizer' by taking out the personnel carrier's driver and gunner. Vastly outnumbered, Smith's force was being diminished by casualties - by those soldiers wounded, and by those soldiers coming to the aid of their wounded comrades.
The citation describes what happened next:
"Fearing the enemy would overrun their 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."
Desperate times call for drastic actions. As a soldier, Smith knew the only chance they had of defeating the enemy was to regain the initiative. As a leader, Smith knew he had to set the example. With no time for walking or talking, Smith simply went into doing what needed to be done.
Bringing another soldier with him, Smith took up an exposed position in the abandoned armored personnel carrier, manned the mounted .50 caliber machinegun, and told the soldier with him to keep the machinegun loaded with ammunition. Alternating his deadly accurate fire between the watch tower and the gate, Smith soon became the focal point of the enemy's attack. That focus allowed other soldiers to maneuver to positions to engage the enemy in the tower. Before becoming the only U.S. soldier to die in that battle, Smith killed about half the enemy force, and destroyed the enemy's determined attack.
The citation closes with...
"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."
I cannot keep from reflecting on the prophetic words written by Smith shortly before this unexpected battle that took his life, but saved the lives of over 100 fellow soldiers. To me, Smith embodied that quality I admire most in true leaders: selfless service to those they are privileged to lead. These leaders are not focused inward on personal comforts or achievements. Nor are they focused upward on pursuing the 'big picture' objectives, for such a pursuit often results in stumbling over and crushing what is immediately around them. These leaders instead focus on those people around them, and what they can do for those people.
From accounts I have read, Smith was a demanding trainer of his soldiers, who was known for setting the example in all he did. He was also deeply involved with and compassionate about the lives of his soldiers. He loved his men, and they loved and respected him.
Long live the leadership legacy of Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith, a true American hero who 'walked his talk' so his soldiers could make it home.
By Matthew Dodd
Feb. 7, 2007
In the last (and un-mailed) letter a leader of soldiers wrote to his parents from Iraq, he told them how he was prepared to give "all that I am, to ensure that all my boys make it home."
I know many combat leaders feel, and have felt, the same way, but few are ever called on to 'walk their talk.' Of those leaders who receive that call, some are never given the chance to 'talk their walk.' Fortunately, others come forward to speak for those silenced fallen warriors. Let me share with you the story of one of those warriors, our first Medal of Honor hero from the ongoing global war on terrorism...
"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."
Just days before the fall of Baghdad, Smith and about fifteen of his soldiers were given the mission of establishing a compound to hold enemy prisoners, in the immediate vicinity of an army command post and medical aid center, with a combined personnel strength of about 100 fellow soldiers. What they found was an old Iraqi Republican Guard compound, complete with surrounding walls, an entrance gate, and a watch tower overlooking the compound. Establishing the existing compound was the easy part of this mission. Holding the compound would soon prove to be much more difficult.
Shortly after claiming the compound, Smith's soldiers discovered at least 100 Iraqi soldiers armed with rifles, grenades, and rocket-propelled grenades no more than about 200 yards away. The compound immediately came under constant, heavy fire from the advancing, numerically superior Iraqi force. The citation continues...
"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."
From varying accounts I have read, this battle for the compound materialized and escalated quickly. Soon, the Iraqis occupied and began using the dominating battlefield high ground - the watch tower - to great advantage. Then the enemy introduced mortars into the battle and quickly neutralized Smith's armored firepower 'equalizer' by taking out the personnel carrier's driver and gunner. Vastly outnumbered, Smith's force was being diminished by casualties - by those soldiers wounded, and by those soldiers coming to the aid of their wounded comrades.
The citation describes what happened next:
"Fearing the enemy would overrun their 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."
Desperate times call for drastic actions. As a soldier, Smith knew the only chance they had of defeating the enemy was to regain the initiative. As a leader, Smith knew he had to set the example. With no time for walking or talking, Smith simply went into doing what needed to be done.
Bringing another soldier with him, Smith took up an exposed position in the abandoned armored personnel carrier, manned the mounted .50 caliber machinegun, and told the soldier with him to keep the machinegun loaded with ammunition. Alternating his deadly accurate fire between the watch tower and the gate, Smith soon became the focal point of the enemy's attack. That focus allowed other soldiers to maneuver to positions to engage the enemy in the tower. Before becoming the only U.S. soldier to die in that battle, Smith killed about half the enemy force, and destroyed the enemy's determined attack.
The citation closes with...
"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."
I cannot keep from reflecting on the prophetic words written by Smith shortly before this unexpected battle that took his life, but saved the lives of over 100 fellow soldiers. To me, Smith embodied that quality I admire most in true leaders: selfless service to those they are privileged to lead. These leaders are not focused inward on personal comforts or achievements. Nor are they focused upward on pursuing the 'big picture' objectives, for such a pursuit often results in stumbling over and crushing what is immediately around them. These leaders instead focus on those people around them, and what they can do for those people.
From accounts I have read, Smith was a demanding trainer of his soldiers, who was known for setting the example in all he did. He was also deeply involved with and compassionate about the lives of his soldiers. He loved his men, and they loved and respected him.
Long live the leadership legacy of Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith, a true American hero who 'walked his talk' so his soldiers could make it home.