Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Maj. Thomas P. Payne describes hostage rescue mission in Iraq

On April 4, 2003, US Army Sgt. First Class Paul Ray Smith, 33 years old, was killed in action during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. While serving with B Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Div. in Baghdad, Smith and his team were attacked by 50-100 Iraqi insurgents. His unit received casualties as his men wounded and running low on ammunition. Smith organized the evacuation of the injured crewmen. However, behind the courtyard was a military aid station crowded with 100 combat casualties.