5/7 Cavalry Visits Medal of Honor Recipient Battle Site

Photo By Jared Eastman | Maj. Michael Sullivan, 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment plans officer, explains the actions of Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith on April 4, 2003 during a visit to the battle site, Feb. 6.  

02.06.2010

Story by Pfc. Jared Eastman  

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

BAGHDAD — Officers from 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, visited the battle site, Feb. 6, where Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith fought and died for his Soldiers near the Baghdad International Airport in 2003.

The visit was meant to teach the young officers the history of a fellow 3rd Infantry Division "dog-face Soldier," and give them insight into how they should develop their own Army careers.

"To stand there in that very same place, and it still looks very much like it did on that day in April 2003, you feel like you're in touch with these people, you can kind of feel what [Smith] did — his spirit is there," said Maj. Michael Sullivan, 5/7 Cavalry plans officer and tour guide. "His story has played a special part in what I've done as an officer here."

The idea had been in the 5/7 Cavalry command group's minds since they landed in country this past January. They were trying to find a way to professionally develop leaders as well as develop their knowledge of the history of the area.

"One of the ideas that came up first from my perspective was that we were close to the Baghdad International Airport where a fellow dog-face Soldier earned his Medal of Honor," said Sullivan. "I'm a huge history fan, and one of the great things about being in 3rd Infantry Division is its storied history."

The 51st Medal of Honor recipient for 3rd ID. Sgt. 1st Class Smith and his Soldiers were pinned down when he told them to fall back while he stood his ground. He actions saved their lives, allowing them a safe passage back to regroup while he kept the enemy from advancing.

"His actions are legendary, and the fact that he sacrificed himself to save so many of his Soldiers makes me hold him in great regard," said Sullivan. "When he backed that M113 into the corner and got up into the turret, he knew that was it. To me, that epitomizes what a Marne Soldier is."

You realize that he sacrificed himself for his Soldiers, but you also realize in the back of his mind there were thoughts of his family too, and he must have realized when he did these actions that there was a chance he wasn't going to see them."

Although the battle site now has a road running through it as well as some recent construction, the tower and the broken gate hinges which Sgt. 1st Class Smith led a Bradley through are still there. A small plaque hangs on a broken wall describing the events that took place there.

"The towers and walls that still have bullet holes in them are very memorable," said Capt. Erik McFarlane, 5/7 Squadron signal officer, "It cements it in your mind that something really did happen here. A lot of the site has new construction and has been glossed over, but the tower with its bullet holes really leaves an impact on you."

To many of the officers, Sgt. 1st Class Smith was someone everyone should strive to become.

"You like to think that you will perform as well as these guys did, but that's what makes them so special," said Sullivan. "They continued to focus on their jobs, and were really looking out for their Soldiers. You kind of think about it all the time, whether it's your first tour or your third tour."

McFarlane agreed. "In a way, you hope you can live up to and be as good of a Soldier as he is."

Sullivan said Smith's sacrifice testifies to more than the spirit of one man in one division in the Army.

"It's that dog determination that [says], 'I'm going to stay, I'm going to fight; you're going to bring it and I'm going to fight you no matter what,'" he said. "There's a platoon of Paul R. Smiths out there; you just don't know when they are going to come out. I have no doubt that these guys would perform to that level in any situation.

"They're doing it every day."

• Date Taken: 02.06.2010
• Date Posted: 02.17.2010 04:31
• Story ID: 45454