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| Army dedicates Simulation Center for fallen Soldier |
| 2003-12-10 |
| The Armyâs former Simulation & Training Technology Center in Orlando, Fla., was renamed Nov. 7 in honor of Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, a Floridian who lost his life in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Smith was killed in battle April 4. His unit, the 11th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, was assigned the task of establishing an enemy prisoner of war holding area and was aggressively counter-attacked by a large Republican Guard unit near the Baghdad International Airport. The unit was overtaken and pinned down within minutes. Several vehicles were out of action and some Soldiers were down. Smith climbed aboard a damaged armored vehicle, and under intense fire managed to get a .50-caliber machine gun working and provided critical covering fire so the wounded could be evacuated. 1st Sgt. Timothy Campbell said that Smithâs actions set the conditions to get control and restore the initiative. âThe .50-cal was the key,â Campbell said, explaining that Smithâs actions changed the course of the fight. Smith provided cover while wounded Soldiers were evacuated. He lost his life after saving numerous others. Smith was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and he is currently a nominee for the Medal of Honor. According to his citation, Smithâs actions killed 20 to 50 Iraqis, allowing the American wounded to be evacuated, saving an aid station and headquarters, as well as possibly 100 American lives. In an interview before the facility dedication ceremony, Janice Pvirre, Smithâs mother, said her son always wanted to be a Soldier. She said he was always generous, gracious had high morals, and was always available to help people. His memorial web site is here. Go and read the second page, which describes what happened. This guy is a true American hero. Smith went through four boxes of ammunition -- totaling 400 rounds -- and fought for more than an hour and a half. |
| Posted by:Chuck Simmins |