WWII veteran, 100, finally receives college diploma nearly 60 years after graduation

A 100-year-old veteran of World War II, nan Korean War and nan Vietnam War thought he was going to a ceremony for his 100th day and to grant his contributions to nan University of Maryland Global Campus, his alma mater. 

Instead, Jack Milton this week received the surprise of a lifetime: his long-overdue graduation ceremony.

“I’ve had galore ceremonies passim my life, fortunately, to observe galore occasions, but this has to beryllium nan tops,” Milton told Fox 5 DC.

“I consciousness for illustration this is nan finale of a agelong travel successful acquisition — and again, I support utilizing nan connection appreciative, but I can’t deliberation of immoderate different word,” he added. 

Milton, 100, enrolled astatine nan University of Maryland Global Campus successful nan 1960s while he was working at nan Pentagon.

At nan time, nan schoolhouse was called University of Maryland, University College. 

Then, and now, nan schoolhouse caters to non-traditional assemblage students, including veterans, and offers some in-person and region learning. 

Milton was a military aviator for 31 years. 

He amassed much than 12,000 flying hours, said a 2021 article from Achiever, nan University of Maryland Global Campus magazine.

During his profession successful nan Air Force, Milton was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross and flew combat missions successful Vietnam. 

“I’ve had galore ceremonies passim my life, fortunately, to observe galore occasions, but this has to beryllium nan tops,” Milton told Fox 5 DC. FOX News

Milton had earned capable credits for his bachelor of arts diploma, and was readying connected stepping nan shape astatine graduation successful 1966. 

But earlier that could happen, he was deployed to Vietnam.

It had ever irked him that he ne'er formally received his diploma, he said.

“On my measurement to Southeast Asia, I had galore thoughts astir not being location to spot my chap graduates,” Milton said to Fox 5 DC. 

President Gregory Fowler, PhD, of the University of Maryland Global Campus said it was an grant to coming Milton pinch his certificate and graduation headdress — respective decades aft it was expected to person happened.

Milton was a military aviator for 31 years who amassed much than 12,000 flying hours, said a 2021 article from Achiever, nan University of Maryland Global Campus magazine. FOX News

“I hereby confer upon John L. Milton nan grade of bachelor of arts pinch each nan authorities and privileges thereto and pertaining. Congratulations,” said Fowler. 

After he returned from Vietnam, Milton, on pinch his wife, Symantha Milton, remained progressive successful nan University of Maryland Global Campus community.

They particularly supported programs for progressive subject and veterans enrolled astatine nan school. 

In 2010, nan Miltons established nan John L. and Symantha Milton Scholarship Fund, which supports different University of Maryland Global Campus danasiwa money specifically for unpaid caregivers of injured subject servicemembers, said Achiever. 

Fox News Digital reached retired to nan University of Maryland Global Campus for further comment.