Remembering SSG Paul Smith
Devoted family man, hard worker, selfless service, and humble
SSG Paul Smith
Born: July 9, 1965
KIA: June 19, 2009 (Kandahar Afghanistan)
“When you think of Paul, what is something you remember about him that makes you smile?”
“Everything!” - Kim and Sarah (Gold Star wife and daughter)
There is one consistent and universal theme when hearing those closest to Paul describe him. He hated no one and would do anything for anyone. He is most remembered for this quote, “Never burn a bridge because you never know if you must cross them again.” Paul is described as man of honor, kindness, integrity, and humility. Men like Paul belonged to that rare class of people that are what they are because of what they do. Not what they say.
SGT Paul Smith was born in Peoria, Illinois. He was the youngest of four boys. Early in life Paul struggled with school and was placed in special education. However, he worked hard in school and was able to overachieve and overcome these struggles. It was this resilience and hard work that allowed him later in life to help other young people who also struggled in school. Paul married the love of his life Kim, who was the single mother of Sarah in 1988. When speaking with Sarah, she only remembers Paul as stepping in and being the role of dad. Shortly later they had a son Benjiman Paul and their family soon became four. Paul worked hard to provide for his young family, sometimes having 3 or more jobs.
In 1992 Paul took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, passed, and decided to become a tanker. At the age of 27 he was the oldest Soldier in basic training but outshined and advanced ahead of his peers. He earned the respect and friendship of all he served with. Following basic training the family went to their first duty station at Fort Hood and Paul went from the rank of private to specialist (E4) within the first year. All of his company leadership loved him and took notice of this hard working and dedicated Soldier. During this time at Fort Hood, Paul would deploy to Kuwait leaving behind his family. Paul’s family remembers it was very important to him that he do his job and do it well. He had great pride in the service to country and the work he was doing. 
Paul’s military career next took him and the family to Germany. This was an exciting and life changing opportunity for his kids and wife. It is during this time the family embarked on a lot of fun and adventure. His family does remember a very special trip they were able to make to Czechoslovakia together. Unfortunately, Paul had limited time to enjoy the adventures in Europe due to his deployment to Bosnia and military field training. The four years in Germany went by quickly and then Paul took an assignment to Fort Riley, Kansas. It was here the family stayed set for a while. The kids were getting older and needing more of a routine. Then 9 -11 happened.
Kim describes 9 -11 as a pivotal event and changed their lives forever. Paul was deployed often. She explains he deployed to Iran and then Iraq to support the taking down of Saddam Hussein and the rebuilding efforts. Paul was home less than 1 year out of the first 4 years in Kansas. It came time for Paul to renew his military contract. His daughter laughs as she shared a conversation she had with her mom and dad telling them she, “was going to emancipate them if they made her move during her time in high school”. Paul and Kim did what loving parents do they put their kids first and stayed in Kansas for another enlistment.
In 2006, Paul was contemplating getting out of the military altogether. Instead, the family moved back to Illinois and Paul joined the Illinois Army National Guard and drilled out of Kewanee. The family settled in to yet another new life and routine. Paul transitioned to being a M-DAY National Guard Soldier. The family was happy with the changes and being able to have family dinners and have more time together.
Paul enjoyed his time as a National Guard Soldier. He turned down rank promotions multiple times. His wife says, “Paul would tell her he didn’t want to be a leader he just wanted to show up and do his job”. He didn’t want the spotlight. He just wanted to work with, take care of the Soldiers he worked with, and to help when and where he could.
All in all, Paul deployed six times during his time in the Army (Kuwait, Bosnia, Iraq (twice), Iran, and Afghanistan). It was after these deployments the family started the tradition of the return home party. Each time Paul deployed and returned they came up with a theme for the party to welcome him home. It was the thing they all looked forward to and enjoyed celebrating. Each deployment Paul went on he saw combat. For each deployment and with each phone call home despite being in a fire fight or an upcoming dangerous mission he would tell Kim “I’m coming home to you”.
In 2008, the Smith’s lives changed yet again, Paul’s guard unit was called to go to Afghanistan. Paul loved his Soldiers. He would say, “these pups don’t know what from what”. He felt responsible as an older Soldier to help guide and teach them what he had learned. In turn the Soldiers in his unit trusted and respected Paul. He went by many nicknames: “Shakey Jake”, “Papa Smurf”, and “Smitty”. The Soldiers really looked up to him. He was assigned to C Troop, 2nd Squadron, 106 Cavalry Regiment based in Aurora, Illinois. Paul volunteered to deploy again.
In May of 2009 Paul was able to come home for a short time after 6 months deployed in Afghanistan. The family had a blast together and enjoyed getting to hear of Paul’s experiences. Kim and Paul celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary during this visit. Little did they know this would be the last time they saw, hugged, and kissed him. It was during this last visit that Paul made the comment to his family “I’m not coming home”. At the time his family responded, as you do when statements like that are made. “Don’t say that. Are you kidding me?” Sarah and Kim reflect now that it was like he knew.
Paul wasn’t supposed to be in the vehicle that he was in that mission on that day. A young Soldier had stated he didn’t want to go on mission unless SGT Smith was his gunner. Paul was an exceptionally skilled gunner and Soldiers trusted having him by their side. The modification was made and a change in the trajectory of a life and a family was forever altered. In the end it was a 500lb floating improvised explosive device (IED) that killed Paul on that day. Kim explains it was strange she hadn’t heard from him that day. It was getting late, but she knew he was out on a mission. Paul and Kim typically would talk through the computer throughout the night until the morning. Instead of talking with her husband two Army uniformed officers arrived at her house to notify her that her husband and the father to her children had been killed. She explains she couldn’t believe it and was thinking “this isn’t real, this isn’t really happening, not in my house”. As she is being told the details of what the Army knew related to the incident Kim looked over to the kitchen table and saw a box filled with things for Paul she was going to mail to him the following day. A package he would never receive. That night was the one single moment that changed her life forever.
The first year was the hardest. It was emotional when they received his belongs back. A broken smoking pipe and a wedding ring bent in the shape of a tear drop from the blast. They hold these items in their hands and miss the man that was their universe. Kim says being a Gold Star Wife and being a Gold Star Family is hard. The sadness doesn’t lessen over time. It still comes in waves. It hits you and you think of the things you miss and the memories you have. It comes with remembering the man who loved candy and had a sweet tooth. Remembering the man that enjoyed simple things like digging a small pond with the hopes of having fish in it. Unfortunately, that project was finished by his son Ben. Paul’s dream was to own a fish store and call it Fish4Me. It’s the memories of how much Paul enjoyed stopping by Lester’s Donuts (a local donut shop in East Peoria) and getting a donut. Ironically the day Paul was killed that same donut shop had an accidental fire and burned to the ground. His wife and daughter laugh as they remember him being known as MacGyver as he could fix anything. Nothing a piece of foil or a paperclip couldn’t help repair. The waves come in tear filled smiles remembering how important Paul’s childhood house, Kim currently lives, in was to him. That house was his dream and fixing it up and having a place for his family was priority.
Paul did anything and everything he could to help and provide for his family. If Paul had come home from that deployment, he would have later become a grandfather. His family smiles as they think of what type he would have been. Without hesitation they say he would have been the fun grandfather. However, for now, his next generation is left with pictures and stories of a man they never will get to meet.
Paul Smith's Grandkids
The Gold Star Mission Run for the Fallen is one of many events that are solely focused on remembering our Nation’s fallen and honoring Gold Star Families like Paul Smith and his family. The various Gold Star Mission events held each year raise money for scholarships in the names of Fallen Military.
Please consider participating or volunteering with in the Gold Star Mission Run for the Fallen (in person and virtual). The event consists of a half marathon, 5k, and 3k (youth only). Participants can run, ruck, walk, volunteer, or donate. We need to continue to honor our Gold Star Families and remember our Fallen Military.
Always Remember! Never Forget!
If interested in signing up or volunteering for the Run for the Fallen visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Rockford/GoldStarMissionRunfortheFallen
Interview with: Kim Smith and Sarah Gold Star Wife and Daughter
Story by: Candace N White
Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.
