Richard Lunsford receives his high school diploma from Elder Principal Thomas Otten Sunday afternoon. (Enquirer photo/Thomas E. Witte)

On Sunday afternoon at Elder High School, special diplomas were awarded to 18 men, all military veterans who left school years ago to serve their country. They never made it back to finish classes, instead finding jobs and starting families.

Among the new graduates: Joseph C. Bova, who earned a Purple Heart from the U.S. Army after serving in the South Pacific during World War II; Bernard A. Gray, a World War II Army vet who served in England, making sure the troops got their mail and dancing in USO shows; and James F. Sunderhaus, a Korean War veteran of the U.S. Navy whose ship, the USS Laws, nearly rolled on its side during a 1952 hurricane.

Oscar Carl Smith, 84, of Mack, won a good conduct medal. A U.S. Marine, he patrolled and searched for Japanese in caves on Guam.

"I'm part of the greatest generation, and now I got a graduation from Elder High School," he said after the ceremony. "This is a good day."

Principal Tom Otten reminded the younger generations that because of the men, they "inherited an entirely different world," in which freedom is secure.

As for why he wanted the diploma to come from Elder, Smith said it was nice to follow in the footsteps of two grandsons.

But also: "I live on the West Side," he said. "Where else would I go?"

Veteran graduates

These men received their diplomas Sunday at Elder High School:

U.S. Navy: Thomas L. Corcoran, Richard C. Lunsford, Robert E. Sinnard, James F. Sunderhaus, Joseph P. Villari and Roger J. Wood.

U.S. Army: Joseph C. Bova, Bernard A. Gray, Elmer H. Ruhe, Karl W. Sunderhaus.

U.S. Marine Corps: Oscar C. Smith, John B. Streicher.

U.S. Air Force and National Guard: Joseph G. Groh.

Received posthumously: Thomas L. Hendley, James A. Meade and Joseph F. Walker (Navy); John E. Ridder and Paul A. Ridder Sr. (Army).

---

E-mail jprendergast@enquirer.com