Famed Airman CMSgt Paul Kerchum laid to rest with full military honors

On his way to becoming one of the U.S. Air Force's most legendary—as well as courageous and inspirational—Airmen, CMSgt (retired) Paul Kerchum, who died Dec. 17 at age 102, traveled some unexpected and difficult roads.

Now in death, Kerchum's distinguished record and contributions to the Air Force and the nation are coming into focus once again.

In addition to his long active-duty service, first in the Army after enlisting in 1938, then an additional 21 years following World War II in the newly born U.S. Air Force, Kerchum also claimed notoriety as a POW and one of the last—if not the last—survivors of the gruesome Bataan Death March during World War II.

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Zachary Mills, a petroleum supply specialist with the 372nd Quartermaster Battalion stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., poses for a picture with retired U.S. Air Force and Army Air Corps Chief Master Sgt. Paul Kerchum, a survivor of the original Bataan Death March, at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., March 25, 2018. Kerchum spent three and a half years as a prisoner of the Japanese Army during World War II. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Tom Piernicky)

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