96-Year-Old WWII Vet, Vietnam Vet Get High School Diplomas

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Sometimes it takes a while for recognition to be given to people who are well-deserving of our praise.

The Pittsburgh Public School District is reaching out to military members to give them a very special piece of paper.

"We have two special diploma presentations through Operation Recognition," said Mercedes Howze with Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Operation Recognition is a national initiative that gives school districts the authority to award high school diplomas to honorably discharged veterans who served during WWII, Korea or Vietnam.

The first honoree was 96-year-old George Pietropola.

"Even without a high school diploma, he achieved a high school on the Armed Forces intelligence test. Mr. Pietropola was part of the third wave that landed on Normandy on D-Day and fought in the battle of the Bulge," said Howze.

Pietropola dropped out of Westinghouse High School in the 11th grade to provide for his eight brothers and sisters before serving in the army from 1942 to 1945.

"He was honored for his service, including a good conduct medal and Bronze Star medal for heroism," said Howze.

The second honoree was Philip Sinatra.

"He served fearlessly in the Vietnam War for the United States," said Howze. "For his service, Mr. Sinatra received the National Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal."

Sinatra attended Oliver High School before deciding to join the marine corps in 1968 at the age of 17.

"Upon being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, he returned to Pittsburgh and worked for the city of Pittsburgh as a truck driver for 38 years and cleaned offices for 22 years," said Howze.

A pair of Pennsylvania treasures who finally earned their diplomas from the Pittsburgh Public Schools.

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