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Paul Wesley Airey 1923 - 2009

Paul Wesley Airey of Panama City, Bay County, FL was born on December 13, 1923 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts United States, and died at age 85 years old on March 11, 2009 in Panama City, Bay County, FL. Paul Airey was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA.

Paul Wesley Airey
Name
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Panama City, Bay County, FL 32404
Last residence
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December 13, 1923
New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States
Birth
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March 11, 2009
Panama City, Bay County, Florida, United States
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Updated: August 28, 2023
Biography ID: 5789889 What's this
Paul Wesley Airey Paul Airey (1923 - 2009)
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Paul Wesley Airey's History: 1923 - 2009

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  • Introduction

    He was the first person to hold the rank of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the highest enlisted rank in that service. Raised in Massachusetts, he joined the US Army Air Corps in 1942 and was to serve in Europe as a B-24 gunner; shot down in 1944, he was held prisoner-of-war for a year. During the Korean War he served at Naha Air Base, Okinawa, and was awarded the Legion of Merit for developing a system to protect radios from corrosion. The next several years saw him hold a succession of postings as a first sergeant; on April 3, 1967, he was appointed the first Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, senior enlisted advisor to the Air Force Chief of Staff. Airey remained in the position until July 31, 1969, then retired in 1970. After leaving active duty he worked with a number of veteran's organizations before relocating to Florida where he died of heart failure complicated by cancer. His decorations include two Legions of Merit, two Air Medals, and the Prisoner of War Medal. The Paul W. Airey NCO Academy at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, carries his name.
  • 12/13
    1923

    Birthday

    December 13, 1923
    Birthdate
    New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts United States
    Birthplace
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  • Ethnicity & Family History

    Paul Wesley Airey was born to parents Robert Burton Airey and Flora Paula Airey. He had a younger brother, Robert Airey. His father was born on Mary 25, 1898 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts and passed away on October 14, 1969 in Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States of America. His mother Flora Airey was born on February 4, 1902 in New Bedford, Massachusetts and she passed away on September 16, 1960 in Quincy, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States of America.

  • Nationality & Locations

    Paul was born and raised in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States of America. He later resided in Quincy, Norfolk, Massachusetts.

  • Military Service

    Paul enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in 1942 and served as a B-24 gunner in Europe. As a prisoner-of-war after being shot down in 1944, he displayed resilience. His contributions continued during the Korean War at Naha Air Base, earning him the Legion of Merit for innovative radio protection. Ascending through various roles, he became the inaugural Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force on April 3, 1967, acting as the foremost enlisted advisor to the Air Force Chief of Staff. Airey held this esteemed position until July 31, 1969, before retiring in 1970.

  • Professional Career

    As a teenager, he was employed by Milchens Furniture in Quincy, Massachusetts, USA.

  • Personal Life & Family

    He was married to Shirley Elizabeth Babbitt (May 29, 1925-June 4, 2001). They had two children together, Ellen and Dale Airey.
  • 03/11
    2009

    Death

    March 11, 2009
    Death date
    heart failure complicated by cancer.
    Cause of death
    Panama City, Bay County, Florida United States
    Death location
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  • Gravesite & Burial

    mm/dd/yyyy
    Funeral date
    Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia United States
    Burial location
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Paul Wesley Airey
Photo of James Micheal Gaudin James Micheal Gaudin
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05/07/2023
Paul Wesley Airey
United States Air Force Chief Master Sergeant. He was the first person to hold the rank of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the highest enlisted rank in that service.. Photo from find a grave
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
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Paul Wesley Airey Dec 13, 1923 - Mar 11, 2009
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Other Biographies

Other Paul Airey Biographies

Airey, Paul (Born circa 1923)

Other Airey Family Biographies

Airey, Kathlyn (Dec 18, 1914 - Mar 8, 1993) Airey, Frederick (Dec 16, 1891 - Aug 1963) Airey, Franklin (Aug 21, 1899 - Nov 1978) Airey, Ann (Mar 29, 1908 - Jun 1973) Airey, E Margaret (Jun 14, 1919 - Oct 8, 2004) Airey, Mary (Sep 7, 1899 - Mar 1976) Airey, Martha (May 2, 1915 - Nov 2, 1992) Airey, Thomas (Aug 13, 1920 - Nov 1976) Airey, Robert (May 25, 1898 - Oct 1969) Airey, Hannah (Sep 2, 1911 - Jan 26, 1992)
Airey, Shirley (May 28, 1925 - Jun 4, 2001) Airey, Helen (Jun 12, 1896 - Jun 15, 1991) Airey, John (Nov 12, 1925 - May 10, 1976) Airey, Jacqueline (Jun 19, 1926 - Oct 20, 1991) Airey, Jean (Nov 19, 1927 - Feb 5, 2001) Airey, Elizabeth (Feb 10, 1900 - May 21, 1989) Airey, Walter (Mar 12, 1899 - Mar 1977) Airey, Daisy (Jun 23, 1903 - Dec 11, 1994) Airey, Albert (May 30, 1884 - Jul 1963) Airey, Herbert (Aug 6, 1913 - Aug 1984)
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