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March 30, 2005

Medal of Honor Award

Boo-freakin-yah!

Medal of Honor to Be Awarded to Soldier Killed in Iraq

WASHINGTON, March 29 - Sgt. First Class Paul R. Smith, killed nearly two years ago defending his vastly outnumbered Army unit in a fierce battle with elite Iraqi troops for control of Baghdad's airport, will receive the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award, administration officials said Tuesday.

[...]

Sergeant Smith led a defense of a compound next to the airport against a much larger force of Special Republican Guard troops, manning a heavy machine gun, repeatedly firing and reloading three times before he was mortally wounded. Fellow soldiers said his actions killed 20 to 50 Iraqis, allowed wounded American soldiers to be evacuated, and saved an aid station and perhaps 100 lives.

Sergeant Smith's "extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor without regard to his own life in order to save others are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service," a draft of the medal citation says.

President Bush will present the award to Sergeant Smith's widow and children at a White House ceremony on Monday, the second anniversary of the airport battle and the soldier's death.

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Comments on Medal of Honor Award

gee, doesn't do him or his widow much good since he was killed needlessly in a place we have no business being....i feel for his family.

|| Posted by rama, March 30, 2005 04:11 PM ||

I'll be the first to agree that the Iraq war is needless, immoral, even illegal, but I can't agree that Smith died needlessly.

It might be hard to understand, but his death and his actions saved the lives of others.

In an ideal world, he wouldn't have been in that situation... in the real world he was, they were, and he fought (I'm guessing here) for the people who were behind him, the other troops who needed to get out.

I get angry every time I hear about losses in Iraq, but that can't change the reality of what this man did for his immediate fellows.

|| Posted by scroff, March 30, 2005 07:52 PM ||

What he did was heroic and wonderful, but his death was essentially pointless - a waste of a vibrant life (to say nothing of the 20 to 50 Iraqi lives wasted fighting to defend a tyrannical and doomed regime that was within hours of falling...) His act would have been no less heroic had he lived.

|| Posted by The Liberal Avenger, March 31, 2005 06:30 AM ||

Well, I for one think that he was in the right place, doing the right thing.

Following orders, that is. And then some, sacrificing his life to save his comrades.

And it wasn't pointless. I don't celebrate the war itself, but it sure beats the alternative.

The alternative was wondering whether we'd discover that Hussein really had a bio-weapons program when a terrorist delivered it to New York, DC, or Chicago. Or having the likes of Zarqawi operating out of the LA suburbs instead of his former stronghold of Fallujah.

|| Posted by talon karrde, March 31, 2005 07:22 AM ||

The Medal of Honor is only a token of rememberance and appreciation from a grateful nation bestowed upon a military member and their femily. For those who have served in the military this is self-evident, for those who choose to be ignorant about this honor no explaination would ever suffice.
Also, if you ask most any former M of H recipient they could tell you stories of countless, similar, acts of heroism carried out by other military members on a "routine" basis that have never been recognized by an award only by brothers in arms.

|| Posted by Gordon, March 31, 2005 09:25 AM ||

God bless men like Paul Smith and the many others who fight for us. He earned his honor, something most people go their entire lives without doing one way or another, and Congress owes this to him and his family.

|| Posted by Damon, March 31, 2005 01:29 PM ||

I was/am against the war in Iraq, but acts such as this make me proud to be an American. To know our country and our military are able to produce individuals of such high caliber, is inspiring.

|| Posted by The Other Mike S, March 31, 2005 10:20 PM ||

to rama, scoff and the liberal avenger.
1st of all the war in iraq is saving the kurdish people from MORE chemical weapon attacks. to say iraq did not have them is being blind to the facts because iraq USED them on its own people.
2nd is the fact that Mr.Bush President of the United States of America took the war to them. This means that we will not be fighting on the streets here in north america. every time i see a passenger plane in the air i say thanks to you Mr. President, i feel safe AGAIN.
3rd...when are people going to wake up and see the GOOD that has come out of this war on terror?...the good that FAR outweighs the bad...elections in afgahnistan and iraq. libya stopping the training of terrorists, a slowly but surely working peace in the middle east, syria pulling out of lebanon, more rights for women in saudi arabia, people in countries that made up the former U.S.S.R. standing up to officials elected by fraud and getting PROPER elections held and DEMOCRATIC governments put in place, (at least 2 that i can think of)...democrocy is on the march in the world and maybe my grand kids will see it even in china. no matter what you think...the war in iraq is justified if for no other reason than to remove an insane man who was killing hundreds of thousands and pushing the U.N. to stop him. he was using the EXACT same tatics as what hitler was and was building up his power. it was only a matter of time before he broke loose and went after America full force with chemical and weapons of terror. The result of that would have been a carpet bombing of iraq. no you poor misguided people...Mr. Bush did the right thing. and by the way.....i am Canadian and dis-agree with my countries stand. I love my country but thank God for the United States of America.

|| Posted by Robert E, March 31, 2005 11:26 PM ||

I for one am very proud of this man. The legacy that he leaves his family and countrymen is to immeasurable to determine. He went to Iraq, helped rid that country of a dictator who willfully used any means, including WMD's, to kill his own countrymen and women; furnished support to terrorist groups, and more.

War is not easy, nor fun. It is hard, boring, terrifying, and brutal. However, I am glad that Sgt. Smith will be awarded the highest honor the United States of America can give. He fought over there on terrorism and dictatorship's ground so that it won't end up here on our doorstep!

FREEDOM!!! Sgt. Smith - God Bless and Thank You!

|| Posted by Nina, April 1, 2005 07:35 AM ||

SFC Smith was a good man and he earned his MoH the hard way. He is someone to be proud of.

Saving your fellow human beings from terror and tyranny is morally justified. SFC Smith's actions are of the highest moral standard because he died in defense of life and liberty and to bring it to the downtrodden.

|| Posted by red river, April 1, 2005 09:42 AM ||

1st of all the war in iraq is saving the kurdish people from MORE chemical weapon attacks. to say iraq did not have them is being blind to the facts because iraq USED them on its own people.

20 years ago.

|| Posted by The Liberal Avenger, April 1, 2005 01:59 PM ||

2nd is the fact that Mr.Bush President of the United States of America took the war to them. This means that we will not be fighting on the streets here in north america. every time i see a passenger plane in the air i say thanks to you Mr. President, i feel safe AGAIN.

You're talking about hand-to-hand combat with Iraqis in on Main Street, USA, right?

Definitely.

|| Posted by The Liberal Avenger, April 1, 2005 02:01 PM ||

i am Canadian

Ah, that explains alot.

FROM NOW ON I'LL TRY NOT TO CONFUSE YOU WITH ABSTRACTIONS.

|| Posted by The Liberal Avenger, April 1, 2005 02:05 PM ||

no you poor misguided people...

You gotta be kidding me....

Perhaps you'd care to fill me in, then, with some details...

You know what, forget it. I had this long reply but I'm not going to post it. I'm not going to use this space for this debate. This was a post to honor Sgt. Smith, not the war in Iraq. While I can easily honor Sgt. Smith for his actions, I abhor the waste of life that is the war in Iraq.

If you would like to go further into this I'd be happy to oblige, but I won't do it here.

|| Posted by scroff, April 1, 2005 02:27 PM ||

If you would like to go further into this I'd be happy to oblige, but I won't do it here.

And that Sir Scroffmeister is why you're a nice Barking Moonbat to converse with. ;)

|| Posted by Mad Mikey, April 1, 2005 02:38 PM ||

Well, that's liberals for you: they usually don't get it, can't understand it, can't admit points one and two, and can't be educated properly.

As previously stated, area is to honor a man who went above and beyond to protect his brothers in arms.

But a liberal can't do so without making some moronic, ideological statement about what they believe. Here's a clue: we don't care at the moment! I'll bet you guys couldn't go to Superman's funeral without asking the widow about his views on abortion.

The courage and devotion of this fallen hero are models that every American should strive for. And if you live in another country, strive for neutrality and ignorance. That's the way most nations prefer to live anyway.

God Bless our fallen brave. Another warrior to guard the pearly gates.

|| Posted by Damon, April 1, 2005 10:22 PM ||

Damon, you're pissing in the wind. It's always about them, and their beliefs - I'll bet Rama got wood when they saw that not only did they get an opportunity to spew, but they were the first comment. And if they truly felt for the family, then they would have realized that there is a time and a place for snide comments.

Oh, I feel for your loss, Mrs. Smith, too bad your son's life was pissed away by Bushitler McChimpy...

Yeah, it's pretty easy to tell how deeply they commiserate and "support the troops".

SFC Smith is a hero, plain and simple. In a different time, he would have been revered and given the respect that he deserves. His life was not wasted or "sacrificed" by his parents, it was given willingly protecting what he felt was more important than the here and now. There are people who can't or won't accept that there are men who value some things more than life - his heroism will ring hollow to them and all they will here is the bleating of a kazoo and clanging of tin drums. So be it.

-French

|| Posted by French, April 1, 2005 11:20 PM ||

Somebody hear a turd drop?

|| Posted by scroff, April 1, 2005 11:29 PM ||

20 years ago.

thats 20 years of stockpi;ing...and if you were so up to date on things mr. L.Avenger you would remember that 3 days before America went into Iraq 3 ocean vessels left Iraq. The powers that be feel that these vessels are FULL of chemical weapons.

You're talking about hand-to-hand combat with Iraqis in on Main Street, USA, right?

no.....i am talking about chemical warfare being waged on the north american public...do some reading and see how easy it is to kill EVERYONE in New York City and up to 100 miles in every direction....all it takes is a pick up truck with a large water tank in is box. A study was done here in Canada and a pick up truck with a driver and passenger could wipe out Toronto by doing a 3 hr drive on it major highways. by the way.......Toronto is now known as the G.T.A. and has over 7 million people in it.GTA stands for Greater Toronto Area just in case you are in wonder about those letters.

i am Canadian

Ah, that explains alot.

FROM NOW ON I'LL TRY NOT TO CONFUSE YOU WITH ABSTRACTIONS.

as usual, people with little or no understanding of the real worl resort to insults when confronted by common sense.

and mr. scroff said
While I can easily honor Sgt. Smith for his actions, I abhor the waste of life that is the war in Iraq.

i would like to know where i even HINTED that i am HAPPY about the lose of life, both iraq and allied thats going on in iraq?..the only thing i am thankfull about is that men like Sergeant Smith have the gonads to go over there and be willing to DIE for what they see as a JUST cause. Ab-so-frickin'loot-lee no where did i say he did not deserve this medal. i am also VERY HAPPY to know that the terror-idiots are too busy running and hiding to attack north america...so...THANKYOU MR BUSH.
i think that history will show that Mr.Bush had THE RIGHT STUFF when it was needed. If the liberals would listen to the man when he says...NOT ON MY WATCH will another act of terrorism be committed on american soil you would understand WHY they are fighting over in iraq.
too bad he did not state...an unprovoked attack on any american on or in another country will be considered an attack on america and will be dealt with accordingly. he has already said anyone harbouring terror-idiots will not be tolerated. the world may not be a safer place because of the actions of Mr.Bush but north america sure as hell is and thats all that matters to me...in closing i would like to thank Sgt.Smith for protecting ME !! and everyone else whether they deserve it or not. and yes...i do feel bad for the family.my condolences go out to them

|| Posted by Robert E., April 2, 2005 01:23 AM ||

Ah, so this is what you guys are clinging to these days? Why did you give up on the story about Saddam hiring Russian Commandos to haul the WMDs off to Syria and bury them in the desert? I think that one was more colorful and creative. Having them spirited away in ships is so [yawn] pedestrian.

|| Posted by The Liberal Avenger, April 2, 2005 04:21 AM ||

by the way.......Toronto is now known as the G.T.A. and has over 7 million people in it.GTA stands for Greater Toronto Area just in case you are in wonder about those letters.

Hey... Did you ever hear the one about the Canadian wingnut?

|| Posted by The Liberal Avenger, April 2, 2005 04:23 AM ||

well.....to semi-qoute myself .... as usual,when confronted by common sense, people with little or no understanding of the real world resort to insults or tatics of ridicule to subtract from the issue at hand. if you have a better insight on these things mr avenger, please share it with us......blogs are for the spreading of information..not getting on a high horse and making fun of people.

|| Posted by Robert E, April 2, 2005 06:28 AM ||

For Liberal Avenger and the rest of the lickspittles:

This had nothing to do with you nutsacks, it was a note about a brave man recieving its nations highest honor, and true to your character and intellect, you came in here and pissed all over him.

The freedom you enjoy, the freedom you have to be the cuntbubbles you are came from better humans than you will ever be.

But, keep it up. Everytime you reprobates open your foul mouths, you take another step into obscurity and worthlessness. The left has had it's day in the sun, and fucked it up.

You people do more to ensure the election of republicans than all the George Soros and Michael Moores in the universe. You are the best thing that the republican campaign could hope for.

You should be embarrassed and ashamed, but in order for that to happen, you would have to have the IQ of a wet leather jacket.

|| Posted by Scott, April 2, 2005 06:50 AM ||

This had nothing to do with you nutsacks, it was a note about a brave man recieving its nations highest honor, and true to your character and intellect, you came in here and pissed all over him.

No, Sir, I did not.

Here is what I said about Smith, the Medal of Honor winner:

What he did was heroic and wonderful, but his death was essentially pointless - a waste of a vibrant life (to say nothing of the 20 to 50 Iraqi lives wasted fighting to defend a tyrannical and doomed regime that was within hours of falling...) His act would have been no less heroic had he lived.

For that I came under jingo-wingnut-thought police attack.

If you honestly think that my saying that he was a hero and that his death was a waste of a vibrant life was "pissing all over him," then you, my friend, need to have your medication adjusted.

The fact that he was killed doesn't make his action MORE heroic - it makes the story more tragic. There was no ambiguity in what I said about this.

I reserve the right to lament the death of anyone, hero or otherwise, here or anywhere else. I'm going to call them like I see them.

Scott, et al:

You should be ashamed of yourselves for turning this somber thread about sacrifice, heroism and death into a soapbox for your anti-liberal, anti-pacifist, anti-logic hatred.

Shame on you, Sir!

|| Posted by The Liberal Avenger, April 2, 2005 07:43 AM ||

"essentially pointless" and "needless war'

What will they call the Medal that Americans will win as they fight islamofascists in Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, et al?

This is a great way for me to demonstrate to my friends the difference between Conservatives and liberals. The democrat party cannot be trusted with national security, crime or schools.

|| Posted by JoeS, April 2, 2005 10:57 AM ||

What will they call the Medal that Americans will win as they fight islamofascists in Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, et al?

You conservatives have such active imaginations.

I'm planning on going camping this summer. Would you please come along - we need somebody to tell ghost stories around the campfire at night.

|| Posted by The Liberal Avenger, April 2, 2005 11:35 AM ||

Nice blog. Thank you.

The Medal of Honor for the
"Bravest of the Brave".

Come visit my blog.

http://terrysdailytales.blogspot.com/

Terry Finley
happy.finley@gmail.com

|| Posted by Terry Finley, April 2, 2005 01:47 PM ||

Here is what I said about Smith, the Medal of Honor winner:

For that I came under jingo-wingnut-thought police attack.

What you did, Mr. Liberal Avenger, is use SFC Smith as little more than a literary device to make your core statement, which basically was that you felt that the Iraqi regime was on its last legs and it was a waste of Iraqi and American lives to invade. The core thought put forth in your post was political, the death of SFC Smith was an interlude.

This was what was being objected to. Believe as you will, but what some of us were saying was that it wasn't about your beliefs or mine, it was that this man did something heroic, was recognized and that was a good thing. It was you and Rama sir, that turned the discussion to politics.

Here's a perfect example: Scoff seems to be as committed a liberal as anybody on this board, but said the following:

I'll be the first to agree that the Iraq war is needless, immoral, even illegal, but I can't agree that Smith died needlessly.

It might be hard to understand, but his death and his actions saved the lives of others.

I get angry every time I hear about losses in Iraq, but that can't change the reality of what this man did for his immediate fellows.

Scoff's post conveyed much the sentiment, but in the context of SFC Smith's story - big difference. Do I necessarily like Scoff, or agree with him? No, he can go f*ck himself as far as I'm concerned. But at least he had the decency to recognize what the article and thread were about, and he understood that it wasn't about him, or me, or you. SFC Smith was a hero, and it's a pity that more people don't know about him.

- French

|| Posted by French, April 3, 2005 09:08 PM ||

Amen, French.

|| Posted by Guard1981, April 3, 2005 11:05 PM ||

No... You definitely misinterpreted what I said about the Iraqis... You, me, Saddam, Sgt. Smith, those 20 to 50 Iraqis - all of us knew by the time this battle was fought that the US' victory was imminent. This isn't a critique on whether or not we should have invaded (I'm sure you can guess how I feel about that). I'm saying that the writing was on the wall for the 20 to 50 Iraqi soldiers who stood their ground that day. What exactly were they fighting and dying for? To slow down the inevitable seizure of Baghdad and toppling of Saddam?

You're way off base about what I said and what I meant.

I may be an asshole. A lot of liberals may be assholes. But just because I am a liberal doesn't mean that I am being an asshole right now.

|| Posted by The Liberal Avenger, April 4, 2005 12:55 AM ||

As the mother of a young man who served his 15 months in Iraq, thank God safely, and a woman who teaches young people in Civil Air Patrol the values of Patriotism, Honor, Duty, Sacrifice I can say Sgt. Smith is, was and will always remain a HERO to true Americans.

As an aside, people like Liberal Avenger, whose freedom of speech is provided by far better men than he, does not, will not and cannot conceptualize why injecting his political viewpoint about the war was simply wrong place, wrong time.

|| Posted by Merry, April 6, 2005 12:00 PM ||

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