Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith.

Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith never set out to be a hero. In fact, according to his wife, he would have been uncomfortable about all the attention being paid to his actions on April 4, 2003, at the beginning of the war in Iraq.

"He would think it was way out of proportion. He was never a guy who liked to be in the spotlight. But I think he deserves it," said his wife, Birgit.

When Smith's soldiers needed him most, he made the ultimate sacrifice to save their lives.

On April 4, 2005, the two-year anniversary of his death, Smith's family received his Medal of Honor. He is the first to receive the award--the nation's highest award for battlefield valor--for actions in Iraq.

Smith's wife, whom he met in her homeland of Germany, became a U.S. citizen following his death and now travels around the country talking to groups about her experiences.

"It's important for people to realize that the people who are fighting over there and getting hurt or dying aren't just statistics," Birgit said. "I try to get the word out that every soldier has a story. And so do their spouses and families. And we can't ever forget what they are doing and what they have done."

Editor's note: Throughout the year, DAV Magazine will honor the newest generation of heroes by profiling service-members who are recognized for valor.

Smith's Medal of Honor Citation reads:

Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq, on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. 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. 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. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith's extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division "Rock of the Marne," and the United States Army.