American Hero: SFC Paul Ray Smith
Joe Katzman over at Winds of Change has a must read post:
Trent Telenko emails me with a heads-up concerning Sgt. First Class Paul Ray Smith, a soldier in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003. He’s about to become the first serviceman to receive the Medal of Honor since MSG Gary Gordon and SFC Randall Shughart’s “Blackhawk Down” heroics in 1993. SFC Smith was the key player in a firefight that saw 15 to 20 engineers, mortarmen and medics defeat 50-100 soldiers of Iraq’s Special Republican Guard.
In an act that brings to mind Private Audie Murphy’s heroics in WWII, Smith’s determined defense held off the Iraqi assault almost singlehandedly. Unlike Audie, however, Smith did not survive. His posthumous medal will be left in the keeping of his wife, son and daughter.
I served with then SSG Smith when I was with the 11th EN BN from 97-01. I saw SSG Smith get promoted to SFC. I was in Iraq when I heard what had happened to him. Paul was and is a great American. I remember training for Sapper School with him, he was a natural leader and just a great person to be around. When I heard of his fate I was also in Iraq, to hear what he did does not suprise me…he always led from the front, put his soldiers first, and had an infectious leadership style. I will tell my grandkids of his heroism and the wonderful life he led before he ever went to Iraq. ALL THE WAY!!! Jungle Cats Forward!!!
CPT James L. Younts
Former Jungle Cat 97-01
On the nature of heroes, and how society chooses who to mythologize.
I’ve waited to blog this until I knew what I wanted to say. I’ve come to a conclusion, I guess. The creation of heroes in any society is pretty much a product of the media, and/or clever hype – as…