Eighty-three-year-old Onset resident Herbert T. Getchell is a doer. Going beyond the old cliche of “taking the road less traveled,” Getchell prefers to build a new road. Literally.

A retired United States Army sergeant, Getchell served as an engineer in military and helped build the infrastructure of South Korea. On May 23, he was awarded the Peace Medal by the Korean government for his efforts more than 40 years ago.

From 1965 to 1966, during peacetime in Korea, Getchell served as the sergeant in charge of constructing a roadway in the war-torn village of Incheon. He and his men in the 502nd Engineer Battalion built the road through 900 acres of muddy farmland, paving the way for 2,400 displaced Korean families to make new homes in the village and travel to other parts of the country.

In 1966, Getchell was awarded the Commendation Medal by the United States Army for his groundbreaking work in South Korea. Last month, he was honored again, this time by the Korean government, alongside 62 other United States veterans. The Peace Medal was given to show the Korean government's appreciation for the U.S. soldiers' efforts, Getchell explained.

“I was just doing my job,” Getchell said humbly.

For the honor, Getchell was flown to Korea and toured the country, which he had not seen since the late 1960s. At the time Getchell worked on the project, Incheon had about 1,500 residents. Today, the city is Korea’s third most populous and is home to one of the world’s largest airports.

“These people didn’t have anything. Now they have eight lane highways!” he exclaimed.

Getchell is a veteran the World World II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He  spent 24 years as a engineer in the military, 13 of which he served in foreign countries.

Getchell has served in every continent except for Australia and has been to every state in America, including Alaska before it was a state.

Leaving the Army didn’t slow him down much. Since retiring in 1971 Getchell has started his own business with his wife Joan, doing home maintenance. He said the secret to a long and youthful life is keeping busy.