Chief Master Sergeant Paul W. Airey Memorial - Lackland AFB, Texas - Specific Veteran Memorials on Waymarking.com

B-24
...an enlisted story.

Chief Master Sergeant Paul W. Airey

As his B-24 Liberator roared off the runway at Foggia, Italy, newly promoted Tech. Sgt. Paul Airey counted this as his 28th mission.  His odds of survival were significantly shrinking with each takeoff.  In July 1944, radio operator-waist gunner Airey felt the concussions as flak tore into his aircraft over Vienna, Austria.  With two engines out and a third losing oil pressure, the pilot told his crew to "Get Out!"  Sergeant Airey was one of the first out and prepared for the inevitable on the way down.  Farmers quickly turned Sergeant Airey over to the Germans after severely beating him.  He was a POW until liberated by British troops May 2, 1945.  He re-enlisted as soon as he could.  His subsequent stellar career, which included 24 years as a First Sergeant, gained him recognition from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. McConnell who installed him as the first Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force April 3, 1967. ~ text of plaque

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Date Logged Log User Rating   08/07/2010 Team 57 visited it