KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — They are the unsung heroes: military mechanics. For the last century, airplane mechanics have filled an essential role in warfare. One East Tennessee veteran was recently honored by South Korea for his actions as a mechanic.

Bill Martin kept the C-47s flying for his squadron during the Korean War. He had never touched an engine before joining the US Air Force in 1950. Martin is now 97 years old.

"When you go in the service, they give you a battery of tests. They determine from that what is your best field of work. They determined that mine would be a mechanic," said Martin. "I had been in retail sales before I went in the service."

Martin spent half a year learning how to fix C-47s and other aircraft.

"We had 51 of them, and we had a B-17. And the B-17 is what

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