Lankford, Bataan Death March survivor, dies at 89
From Staff ReportsOriginally published: August 23. 2008 3:01AM
Last modified: August 22. 2008 11:25PM
Retired Chief Master Sgt. Paul Lankford, a Bataan Death March survivor and the first commandant of the Air National Guard Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, died Friday at the age of 89.
Captured in 1942, he was forced to march 65 miles in five days under the hot Philippine sun with no food or water. He was forced to bury his fellow soldiers, work as slave labor and endure torture during his captivity.
He survived three years and six months of captivity and horrific conditions by the Japanese during WWII. Chief Lankford was held captive until Aug. 20, 1945.
Lankford returned to the United States and continued to serve in various stateside assignments as well as a tour in Hawaii.
He graduated from and then joined the staff of the Air Defense Command Non-Commissioned Officer Academy at Otis AFB, Mass., in June 1958. After seven years of teaching, Lankford became Deputy Commandant of the NCO Academy at Hamilton AFB, Calif. During this assignment, he and the staff assisted the Air National Guard in establishing and graduating the first ANG NCO Academy class in June 1968 here at McGhee Tyson Airbase. He returned to Hamilton AFB and retired from the Air Force on Nov. 1, 1968 with over 29 years of active service.
Within a few days he joined the staff of the ANG NCO Academy as commandant. He assisted in establishing the ANG Leadership School, the Academy of Military Science, and the Seminar for Direct Commissioned Officers.
Some of Lankford's military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters, Prisoner of War Medal, AF Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with bronze star, AF Longevity Service Award Ribbon with two silver oak leaf clusters, and the USAF Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon with oak leaf cluster.
Smith Funeral and Cremation Service is handling arrangements.
If you want even more of the best news and information source in Blount County, every word of The Daily Times print edition is available online. Get fully searchable access online and a downloadable PDF copy of the newspaper every day with your subscription. Prefer hard copy? Subscribe today for home delivery service. The Daily Times, your hometown newspaper of record for 125 years and counting.