WASHINGTON - The children of the first US soldier to be awarded the Medal of Honor in Iraq unveiled a commemorative plaque in the Pentagon Tuesday, adding the name of Sergeant First Class Paul Smith to a roll call of American combat heroes.
Smith, who was posthumously awarded the highest US military honor Monday by President George W. Bush, was killed April 4, 2003 while fighting off an attack by Saddam Hussein's forces in the battle for the Baghdad airport.
"Now Paul joins America's truly most admired fraternity, those awarded the Medal of Honor," said Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who appeared to be choking back tears at the ceremony.
Smith's children, David and Jessica, drew down a black drape from the plaque on which their father's name was inscribed under the heading Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Adjoining plaques carry the names of winners of Medal of Honor winners dating back to the US Civil War.
"Paul loved his country, he loved the army, and he loved his soldiers. He loved being a sapper. He died doing what he loved," said his widow Birgit, fighting back tears.
Birgit Smith, a German citizen, said she had begun the process of becoming a US citizen.
The medal citation hailed Smith for "conspicuous gallantry" when he organized the defense of a US position and medical aid station near Baghdad airport against an attack by about 100 Iraqis.
He led two platoons backed by a Bradley fighting vehicle and three armored vehicles against the Iraqis who were moving into fighting positions overlooking a courtyard held by Smith and his men.
"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," the citation said.
"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," it said.
The citation said the Iraqi attack was defeated and up to 50 Iraqi soldiers were killed while numerous US wounded were evacuated.
The Medal of Honor is rarely awarded. None were given for the 1991 Gulf War. It was last awarded to two soldiers in the 1993 battle of Mogadishu that was the subject of the book and movie "Black Hawk Down."
04/05/2005 17:18 GMT