Veterans, 95 and 85, don cap and gown as they graduate with the class of 2019 more than 65 years after leaving school early to fight in World War Two and the Korean War
- Joe Perricone, 95, and Bill William Arnold Craddock, 85, graduated Saturday
- They joined the class of 2019 when they picked up diplomas during graduation ceremonies at their local Florida and Tennessee high schools
- Perricone was drafted into the Army in 1943, just months before his graduation
- He went on to serve in Europe during World War II for the next three years
- Craddock would’ve been in the class of 1953, but joined the Air Force at 16
- He went on to serve eight years, during which time he got his GED
- Both men were honored and applauded during their graduation ceremonies
Two war veterans finally got the chance to celebrate graduating from high school, more than 65 years after they would’ve done had they not gone into military service as teens.
On Saturday, Joe Perricone, 95, of Florida, and Bill William Arnold Craddock, 85, of Tennessee, donned graduation gowns and walked across their respective high school stages to receive diplomas alongside regular 2019 class members.
Perricone, wearing a bright orange gown and matching mortar board cap, made the walk 76 years after he would’ve graduated from Tampa, Florida’s Hillsborough High School, had he not been a senior when he was drafted into the Army in February 1943, according to WFLA.
World War II veteran Joe Perricone, 95, became a member of the class of 2019 when he received his high school diploma during a ceremony Saturday, 76 years after he would’ve graduated had he not been drafted into the Army
Bill William Arnold Craddock, 85, also joined the class of 2019 when he got his diploma during a graduation ceremony, 66 years after joining the Air Force at 16 and serving in the Korean War
While Perricone did wind up receiving his high school diploma upon his return home from fighting in Europe during World War II in 1946, he never had the chance to participate in an official graduation ceremony until Saturday.
During the ceremony, school officials paid tribute to Perricone, who then received a standing ovation from teachers and students. Later, when he walked across the stage to receive his diploma, he was loudly cheered by the crowd.
Perricone’s grandson, Judge Thomas Palermo, was said to have worked with the school board and high school’s principal, Gary Brady, to pull off Perricone’s participation in the graduation ceremony.
Meanwhile, a similar story was playing out several states away.
During Perricone’s graduation ceremony, this picture of the man alongside his Army buddies was flashed on stage. It’s unclear which of the men is Perricone, however
Both Perricone (left) and Craddock (right) received loud applause and cheers from students and the audience as they were handed their diplomas Saturday
Craddock was 16 and attending Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tennessee, when he joined the Air Force and went off to fight in the Korean War, according to WJHL.
Had he stayed behind to finish his degree, he would’ve graduated with his classmates in 1953.
Although he did get his GED during his nearly eight years in the Air Force, he wasn’t able to participate in an actual graduation ceremony until Saturday, when he joined the class of 2019 at Volunteer High School in Church Hill, Tennessee.
After being welcomed and introduced on stage, Craddock received loud applause as he was given his diploma, 66 years after he was meant to pick it up.
‘I’m tickled pink that I went through this to get this. Seeing all the people, and they have made me feel good,’ Craddock told the news station.
When asked if he had any advice for his fellow graduating class, Craddock said: ‘I would tell that class to study hard and be good. Learn all they can and get the best education they can get.’