After 70 years, WWII veteran receives high school diploma

NORMAN, Okla. - World War II veteran Bill Malone, 87, was a 17-year-old high school student in California when he enlisted in the Navy in 1945.

One of seven brothers to enter the military, he served on the USS Independence, an aircraft carrier, during Operation Crossroads and later participated in the first post-war detonation of nuclear weapons. Malone later suffered from thyroid cancer related to his radiation exposure.

The one battle he never won? Graduation.

On Wednesday morning, surrounded by three generations of his family at the Norman Veterans Center, Malone accepted a degree from Norman High School Principal Scott Beck.

"I'm grateful to the state and the school district for doing this, and for the Veterans Center for treating him so well," his proud son, Mike Malone, said.

He said getting his high school diploma is something his father has wanted for a long time.

"I finally feel like I accomplished something," Malone said with a smile.