Congressional Medal of Honor

awarded to

Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith

Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith

The United States Army has posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor to Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith while serving in Iraq assigned to 2 Platoon, Company B, 11th Engineers, 3rd Infantry Division.  Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith is originally from Tampa, Florida.

His valorous actions saved between 14 to 20 US soldiers lives against more than 100 Iraqi soldiers.  The fire-fight lasted for over 90 minutes.

This is the 1st Congressional Medal of Honor to be awarded in 12 years.  The last 2 Congressional Medal of Honor's were awarded to Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart for their valorous actions during the battle of Mogadishu, Somalia which was the basis of the book and movie "Black Hawk Down."

The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest medal that can be awarded to the men and women who serve in the US Military.

"Please note: All Military Medals, Decorations, and Citations are awarded, not won."