This magazine's coverage of the war in Iraq has chronicled the often overlooked efforts of military engineers who set the stage for battle, breach obstacles and clear the way for advancing combat troops. Their work is difficult, dangerous and deadly, a point driven home this week by ENR Associate Editor Tom Sawyer. Advancing with elements of the U.S. Army's Third Infantry Division, Sawyer's story of the engineers' war speaks of heroism and death.
A firefight with a large Iraqi force at Saddam International Airport caught the 11th Engineer Battalion's Bravo Company by surprise. Platoon Sgt. Paul R. Smith provided cover for his unit to regroup, help the wounded and finally beat back the attack. Smith was killed but his actions saved hundreds of lives. A few days later, two of Smith's engineer comrades were also killed in battle.