Billy Mullinax recalls his time with the U.S. Air Force in the Korean War simply in the fifth book of veterans stories published by Gaffney High history students.

"We had a job to do and we did it," Mullinax said in an interview with Gaffney High students Sarah Hamrick, Sierra Cutchin and Carrie Beattie.

He flew airplanes out of Japan and into Korea to recover the bodies of American soldiers so they could be sent back to America. He even made a Christmas Eve trip, leaving an unpleasant memory of bringing someone's loved one home during the holidays.

The Korean War, often referred to as The Forgotten War, was fought by Americans to prevent communist aggression in North Korea. eran. Blue Star Banners were presented to Cherokee County families who had several siblings serve in the Korean War.

The book features essays written by students in Gaffney High teacher David Smith's history classes based on their interviews with Korean War veterans. History classes previously published four books on World War II veterans.

The project began in 2000 when Korean War veteran Boyd McLean approached Gaffney High Principal Dr. Quincie Moore with the idea.

McLean is featured in this year's book along with county administrator Ben Clary.

McLean served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. He completed a tour on the Philippines Island with the 6200th Maintenance and Supply Group, which provided aircraft and maintenance support for units in Korea.

Clary and four of his six brothers served in the Korean

War. He helped keep airplanes in operation while serving in Korea from June 1952 until September 1955.

The book tells about each soldier's experience in the Korean War along with how it impacted them and their families.

Any Korean War veteran who would like to be interviewed by Gaffney High students for next year's book is

encouraged to contact McLean

at 489-2416.

"Korea was not a pleasant place. There were 10 people to a tent, but there was still a cold that goes right through you," Mullinax said in the student interview. "Everyone from those on the front line to those who supplied food and drove people around were all together in the success. My work in Korea was well worth it when you look at where Korea is today with industry and education."

Mullinax is among 22 local Korean War veterans whose accounts of their military service appear in the book "American Veterans-True Accounts of Cherokee County Korean Soldiers." The school presented veterans and their families with a personal copy of the book at a special ceremony Monday evening.

Each veteran received a copy of a resolution from state Rep. Olin Phillips (D-Gaffney) honoring them as a distinguished vet