-> Hinesville - Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith, 33, Bravo Company, Eleventh Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry, died heroically leading his squad in battle on Friday, April 4, 2003 in Baghdad, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. SFC Smith was a native of El Paso, TX and lived in Hinesville for the past 5 years having moved here from Germany. Born September 24, 1969 and raised in the Tampa, FL area, he was a 1989 graduate of Tampa VoTech. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he began his 13-year career. During his service he received many awards, ribbons, and medals including, five Army Commendation Medals, six Army Achievement Medals, a Kuwait Liberation Medal, a NATO Liberation Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, three Good Conduct Medals, a SGT Morales Club, and for his courageous actions during combat, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Survivors: his wife of 11 years, Birgit Smith of Hinesville, son, David Anthony Smith of Hinesville; daughter, Jessica Martha Smith of Hinesville; mother and father, Janice and Donald Pvirre of Holiday, FL; brother, Anthony Wayne Smith of Tampa, FL; sisters, Lisa Devane of Smyrna and Cristina Marie Smith of Marietta; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Services with Full Military Honors: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 12 at the Chapel of the Thomas L. Carter Funeral Homes with Rev. Roger Wilkins officiating. The family asks that the media not use this opportunity to contact the family members bur respectfully call Public Affairs at Ft. Stewart. Pallbearers: Members of the United States Army. Remembrances: The American Red Cross Army Relief Fund. Thomas L. Carter Funeral Home Savannah Morning News, April 12, 2003