Paul Kerchum

HOTH Mission

Paul Kerchum, POW/MIA, Retired

USA – WWII
Vail, Arizona – 07-12-19

Paul Kerchum joined the United States Army at sixteen years of age and served in the 31st Infantry Regiment in the Phillipines. CMSGT was captured by the Japanese, was a prisoner of war for thirty four months and survived the Bataan Death March. In 1944, CMSGT Kerchum was brought aboard the Japanese prison ship, Shin ‘yo Maru, also known as a “hell ship”. It was attacked by an American submarine, who did not know that it had American prisoners aboard. CMSGT Kerchum was one of eighty two survivors who was rescued by Filipino guerillas. Today CMSGT Kerchum is often asked to be a keynote speaker at many events to speak of his military career and his experience as a POW. CMSGT is quoted in saying, “Freedom is never free, American men and women have spilled their blood and given their lives so we can have the freedom we enjoy today.” CMSGT Kerchum has been asked to be the keynote speaker once again at 99 years of age and we have been invited to ride with him to the event.

Dairy Queen

13160 E. Colossal Cave Road
Vail, Arizona 85641

Robi 520-429-1175 and Kip 520-240-7163

Flag Captain: DaFlagGuy, 520-241-4530

Brieifing: 7:00 AM

KSU: 7:20 AM

We will represent a flag line when we arrive at the Vail school.

Please mount flags on your bikes if you have the ability to do so to honor one of Americas Greatest Generation.