29 March - The White House announced that President George W. Bush will honor SFC Smith by presenting his family the Medal of Honor on April 4, 2005.

A Tampa native, SFC Smith was killed in action during a firefight to secure the Baghdad Airport on April 4th 2003. His actions during this fight saved the lives of many of his men. His unit, the 11th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, was assigned the task of establishing an enemy prisoner of war holding area and was aggressively counter-attacked by a large Republican Guard unit near the Baghdad International Airport. The unit was overtaken and pinned down within minutes.

Several vehicles were out of action and some Soldiers were down. Smith climbed aboard a damaged armored vehicle, and under intense fire managed to get a .50-caliber machine gun working and provided critical covering fire so the wounded could be evacuated. He lost his life after saving numerous others. Smith was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. According to his citation, Smith’s actions killed 20 to 50 Iraqis, allowing the American wounded to be evacuated, saving an aid station and headquarters, as well as possibly 100 American lives.

For more information about Smith, including detailed accounts of his action, visit the special tribute Web site at http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/.