Paul Wesley Airey
December 13, 1923 – March 11, 2009 (Age 85)
1st Chief Master Sergeant of Air Force (1967-1969)
Place of birth	Quincy, Massachusetts
Place of death	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.

[edit] Biography

Chief Master Sergeant of Wesley Airey was adviser to Secretary of the Air Force Harold Brown and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. John P. McConnell nd 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 fa

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