Wall of Heroes honors first CMSAF Published Feb. 16, 2006 By Airman Thomas Trower 27th Fighter Wing Public Affairs CANNON AFB, N.M. -- At 18 years of age, before the Air Force as we know it was created, Paul Airey enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Little did he know his career would land him a position as the first in a short line of senior noncommissioned officers to be the chief master sergeant of the Air Force. Chief Airey was inducted into the Cannon Airman Leadership School’s Wall of Heroes on Jan. 27, a program begun in June 2004 to honor the previous extrordinary services of local heroes. There are eight ALS classes each year, and each class chooses a hero to add to the Wall of Heroes, many of whom were POWs during World War II. Although Chief Airey is not from the local area, he required special exemption due to his inspiring accomplishments, motivating dedication and touching sacrifices throughout his Air Force career. Beginning his journey in 1942 at radio operator school and aerial gunnery school, Chief Airey eventually reported to Fairmont Army Air Force Base, Neb., where he helped form and activate the 485th Bombardment Group. In March 1944 his group traveled to Italy to join the 15th Air Force. Chief Airey served both as a radio operator and aerial gunner on combat missions over Germany and Austria. During his 28th combat mission, his B-24 was shot down over Vienna, Austria. He bailed out and managed to land safely but was unable to avoid capture. Chief Airey and the other occupants of his aircraft spent several days in a civilian Budapest prison until they were sent to the Stalag Luft IV POW Camp. The Germans marched the POWs west nine months later to an unknown location. During this nearly 90-day march, the prisoners endured sleeping in barns or out in open fields and many times they were not fed. Many died from disease, malnutrition, exposure and exhaustion before their group of POWs were liberated on May 2, 1945. When Chief Airey was freed, he was suffering from dysentery and weighed less than 100 pounds. This experience, however, did not stop Chief Airey; as soon as he recuperated, he reenlisted without hesitation. During the Korean War, Chief Airey was awarded the Legion of Merit for devising a corrosion control assembly line for aircraft radio and radar equipment. Later, the chief spent much of his time as a first sergeant until he was selected to become the chief master sergeant of the Air Force. There were more than 2,000 chief master sergeants eligible for the job. Chief Airey surpassed them all to become Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force #1 on April 3, 1967. In this position he was the most visible symbol of the enlisted force and helped define the role. The chief master sergeant of the Air Force represents the highest enlisted level of leadership, and as such, provides direction for the enlisted corps and representstheir interests, as appropriate, to the American public, and to those in all levels of government. Chief Airey retired on Aug. 1, 1970. Chief Airey was unable to attend the ALS ceremony, but was represented by his close friend Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force #8 Sam Parish. Chief Parish spoke only the best about the man who “blazed a trail for those of us who followed him. He was unbelievably honored,” said Chief Parish. “[The Air Force] has come a long way and he is responsible for much of it.” “Chief Airey is one of he greatest Airmen the service has ever known. Through his personal commitment, sacrifice and example to others, he helped to shape the world’s greatest Air Force that we know today,” said Col. John Posner, 27th Fighter Wing Commander.