KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ( WATE ) — Ed Roenicke had a unique role in World War II, he kept the army’s wheels rolling. In honor of his 100th birthday, State Representative Jeremy Faison presented him with an American flag that flew over the state capitol.
Roenicke was drafted at age 19. He had worked as a service station mechanic near Saginaw, Michigan, before the war, and later operated a garage. The Army used his knowledge and skills of being able to fix things.
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“That’s my Jeep. That’s what it was called, a parts chaser. It’s a bigger one than a Jeep, but that was my truck,” said Roenicke.
Side-by-side with fighting men who went to battle, Roenicke’s army of men with the 126th Ordinance Company, fought with tools and machinery. Without the aid of mechanics and the parts they carried, the Army’s wheels would have ground to a stop.
“Well, I just had good support in back of me, working together. It was a pleasure, but it was scary,” said Roenicke.