The Rotary Club of Enfield is honoring Enfield’s veterans by sponsoring military tribute banners that will be displayed in Higgins Park, the Town Green, Freshwater Walkway, North Main Street and Hazardville between Memorial Day and Veterans Day in 2026 and 2027. The Enfield Public Library partnered with Enfield Rotary to preserve digital versions of these banners as well as biographical information about each veteran.
Paul F. Smith, Jr.
United States army 1952-1972
Korean War
Vietnam war
major
bronze star
gallantry cross
Paul enlisted in the United States Army in 1952, where he served with the 11th Airborne Division. He attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned in 1959. In 1962, he was accepted into the elite Army Special Forces, where he served as a detachment and company commander through two tours in Vietnam. He was an original member of Project DELTA and served as an advisor throughout Asia. His distinguished service earned him the Bronze Star, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Silver Star, Gallantry Cross with Pendant, among others. He retired in 1972 after twenty years of honorable service.
In retirement, Smitty (as he was affectionately known) was a member of V.F.W. Post 574 in Plainville, Connecticut, where he served as Post Commander from 1974-1975. He was also a member of Moose Lodge 1525 and AMVETS of Enfield. He settled in Enfield in 1975 with his wife Chalam (Thongprom) Smith, whom he met and married while stationed in Thailand. Together, they raised four children in town. Paul worked at Colt Firearms in Hartford before retiring in 1994. He passed away in 2002 at the age of 70.
