| Paul Wesley Airey | |
|---|---|
| 1st Chief Master Sergeant of Air Force (1967-1969) |
|
| Born | December 13, 1923 Quincy, Massachusetts |
| Died | March 11, 2009 (aged 85) Panama City, Florida |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Air Force United States Army Air Corps |
| Years of service | 1942–1970 |
| Rank | Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Legion of Merit(2) Air Medal(2) Air Force Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal Prisoner of War Medal |
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Paul Wesley Airey (December 13, 1923 – March 11, 2009) was adviser to Secretary of the Air Force Harold Brown and Air Force Chief of Staff General John P. McConnell on matters concerning welfare, effective utilization and progress of the enlisted members of the United States Air Force. He was the first Chief Master Sergeant appointed to this ultimate noncommissioned officer position and was selected from among 21 major command (MAJCOM) nominees to become the first Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. He was formally installed by Gen McConnell on 3 April 1967.
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Paul Wesley Airey was adviser to Secretary of the Air Force Harold Brown and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. John P. McConnell and later completed 62 semester hours of study at McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois. His military schooling has included courses in communication, mechanics, and personnel management. He is a graduate of the Air Defense Command Noncommissioned Officer Academy.
Before he became Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, he was assigned to the Air Defense Command's 4756th Civil Engineering Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., where he was the unit's first sergeant. He retired on August 1, 1970. Chief Airey died in Panama City, Fla. on March 11, 2009.[1] The funeral service was held on 28 May 2009 at the Fort Myer chapel followed by interment at Arlington National Cemetery. The SECAF authorized flying the national flag at half-staff at all Air Force facility locations in his honor on the day of his interment.