World War II Veteran Receives High School Diploma After Dropping Out to Join the War Effort

A father who served in World War II was among other veterans from the Korean War and the Vietnam War when he received his high school diploma, more than half a century later.

William Enoch Morgan proudly walked across the stage of Serrano High School in Phelan, California, to accept his high school diploma as his family watched from the audience.

“He watched us graduate,” his son Jeff Lopez told KCBS. “It’s weird to see him graduate.”

He and many of the other veterans being honored San Bernardino’s Operation Recognition left high school at a young age to serve.

Morgan said he married his wife, Dorothy Evelyn, and immediately joined the Army to serve in World War II.

“It’s difficult when you’ve got to go to war like that,” he explained. “It changes everything.”

But, so many years later, Morgan said he’s just as proud to be presented with his high school diploma.

“I had no idea what this was going to be, but it’s impressive,” Morgan told KCBS.

Lopez joked, “We told him now that he’s got a diploma, he’s got to get a job and move out of his house. It’s his house, but he’s got to move out.”

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