[mark502inf]

The President gave it to Sergeant Smith's little boy--pretty emotional.

It took almost two years for this MOH to get approved--so perhap Peralta's is still wending its way thru the bureaucracy.

[areafiftyone]

David Smith will accept the honor on behalf of his father, Army Sgt. First Class Paul Ray Smith, who was killed protecting at least 100 American soldiers during a battle near Baghdad International Airport on April 4, 2003.

Sgt. Smith stayed at his gun and beat back an advancing Iraqi force until a bullet took his life.

The boy's mother said her son is "man of the house now." Birgit Smith told ABC's "Good Morning America" that she often hears from the men her husband saved, as well as their families, and that they are "so grateful for what Paul did that day."

Smith is credited with saving the lives of at least 100 Americans by beating back an advancing Iraqi force near the gates of Baghdad International Airport.

[MEG33]

His son was standing up next to the President,listening to him..almost at"attention"..God bless him.