On Tuesday in College Park, Maryland, a 100-year-old veteran of three wars finally got what he had been waiting for since the 1960s.
When Air Force Officer John “Jack” Milton earned He was extremely proud of receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) 58 years ago, 11 Alive reported.
Congratulations! 🎓58 years ago, career Air Force officer John “Jack” Milton earned his degree, but never made it across the stage to receive his diploma. Instead, he was sent to Vietnam.
Now, at 100 years old, he finally gets the honor he deserves. https://t.co/MuvEcxNIWk pic.twitter.com/zz6lBqL4Py
— 10 Tampa Bay (@10TampaBay) May 1, 2024
Milton enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943 during World War II, flying in Korea and Vietnam. However, when he was sent to Vietnam in 1966, he was unable to receive his diploma.
“There were many times I wished I hadn’t been able to attend the ceremony after all the effort I put in,” he says. Said NBC 4 Washington.
Vietnam War ended close According to History.com, in January 1973, the United States and North Vietnam “concluded a final peace agreement, ending open hostilities between the two countries.”
To Mr. Milton’s great joy and surprise, he was recently awarded his long-awaited commencement award at a luncheon in the art gallery on the university’s campus.
During the rally, UMGC Vice President for U.S. Military Operations Nicole Dellums said, “Thank you for your service to our country, for giving back to your alma mater, and for your generous support of our students who need us most.” I will.”
video footage show According to WUSA 9, Milton served as a pilot in three wars and captured images throughout his military career.
“Fortunately, I’ve been through a lot of ceremonies in my life, but this has to be at the top,” Milton said.
After Milton’s wife died in 2014, he was informally adopted by the family of Ugandan immigrant Nora Ubara. They all became friends more than 20 years ago when she worked as a nurse with a veteran couple.
Ubara had kind words for the man who has meant so much to her loved ones over the years. She said: “He looks like my father. That’s what I call him. And my children call him Grandpa.”
