As a blanket of snow slowly descends over Washington DC and Arlington National Cemetery, our Arlington Media team prepares for a busy week covering everything from dependent to full honors missions, despite the weather. No matter what the conditions look like, we are ready for them and eager to serve.

Continue ReadingAs a blanket of snow slowly descends over Washington DC and Arlington National Cemetery, our Arlington Media team prepares for a busy week covering everything from dependent to full honors missions, despite the weather. No matter what the conditions look like, we are ready for them and eager to serve.

As a blanket of snow slowly descends over Washington DC and Arlington National Cemetery, our Arlington Media team prepares for a busy week covering everything from dependent to full honors missions, despite the weather. No matter what the conditions look like, we are ready for them and eager to serve.

Continue ReadingAs a blanket of snow slowly descends over Washington DC and Arlington National Cemetery, our Arlington Media team prepares for a busy week covering everything from dependent to full honors missions, despite the weather. No matter what the conditions look like, we are ready for them and eager to serve.

Buried in Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Section D at gravesite 67 lies Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith. “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: 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.”

Continue ReadingBuried in Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Section D at gravesite 67 lies Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith. “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: 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.”

Buried in Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Section D at gravesite 67 lies Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith. “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: 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.”

Continue ReadingBuried in Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Section D at gravesite 67 lies Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith. “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: 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.”

On a black disc, an American bald eagle with wings displayed vertically, grasping an olive branch in its dexter talons and a bundle of thirteen arrows in its sinister talons, and bearing a shield blazoned: Gules, behind a folded United States flag Proper,a wreath Or. Below the eagle is a gold scroll inscribed “OUR MOST SACRED SHRINE” in black letters. Beneath the scroll is the Cemetery’s establishment year, 1864. All encircled by a black designation band edged gold and inscribed “ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY” in gold letters. Black and gold are the colors observed throughout Arlington National Cemetery. Black signifies mourning, and gold is emblematic of honor. The American bald eagle is a symbol of the United States of America and has long been associated with the national military establishment. The arrows stand for honors received in combat defending the peace, which is represented by the olive branch. The folded flag is a living symbol of service to one’s country. The wreath and shield are styled after ornaments on the Cemetery’s Schley and Roosevelt ceremonial gates, which bear the seals of the armed forces.

Continue ReadingOn a black disc, an American bald eagle with wings displayed vertically, grasping an olive branch in its dexter talons and a bundle of thirteen arrows in its sinister talons, and bearing a shield blazoned: Gules, behind a folded United States flag Proper,a wreath Or. Below the eagle is a gold scroll inscribed “OUR MOST SACRED SHRINE” in black letters. Beneath the scroll is the Cemetery’s establishment year, 1864. All encircled by a black designation band edged gold and inscribed “ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY” in gold letters. Black and gold are the colors observed throughout Arlington National Cemetery. Black signifies mourning, and gold is emblematic of honor. The American bald eagle is a symbol of the United States of America and has long been associated with the national military establishment. The arrows stand for honors received in combat defending the peace, which is represented by the olive branch. The folded flag is a living symbol of service to one’s country. The wreath and shield are styled after ornaments on the Cemetery’s Schley and Roosevelt ceremonial gates, which bear the seals of the armed forces.

On a black disc, an American bald eagle with wings displayed vertically, grasping an olive branch in its dexter talons and a bundle of thirteen arrows in its sinister talons, and bearing a shield blazoned: Gules, behind a folded United States flag Proper,a wreath Or. Below the eagle is a gold scroll inscribed “OUR MOST SACRED SHRINE” in black letters. Beneath the scroll is the Cemetery’s establishment year, 1864. All encircled by a black designation band edged gold and inscribed “ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY” in gold letters. Black and gold are the colors observed throughout Arlington National Cemetery. Black signifies mourning, and gold is emblematic of honor. The American bald eagle is a symbol of the United States of America and has long been associated with the national military establishment. The arrows stand for honors received in combat defending the peace, which is represented by the olive branch. The folded flag is a living symbol of service to one’s country. The wreath and shield are styled after ornaments on the Cemetery’s Schley and Roosevelt ceremonial gates, which bear the seals of the armed forces.

Continue ReadingOn a black disc, an American bald eagle with wings displayed vertically, grasping an olive branch in its dexter talons and a bundle of thirteen arrows in its sinister talons, and bearing a shield blazoned: Gules, behind a folded United States flag Proper,a wreath Or. Below the eagle is a gold scroll inscribed “OUR MOST SACRED SHRINE” in black letters. Beneath the scroll is the Cemetery’s establishment year, 1864. All encircled by a black designation band edged gold and inscribed “ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY” in gold letters. Black and gold are the colors observed throughout Arlington National Cemetery. Black signifies mourning, and gold is emblematic of honor. The American bald eagle is a symbol of the United States of America and has long been associated with the national military establishment. The arrows stand for honors received in combat defending the peace, which is represented by the olive branch. The folded flag is a living symbol of service to one’s country. The wreath and shield are styled after ornaments on the Cemetery’s Schley and Roosevelt ceremonial gates, which bear the seals of the armed forces.