High School Diploma for Michigan WWII, Korean and Vietnam Era Veterans
Introduction
To provide special recognition for the service of military veterans of WWII , the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam era, Public Act 181 of 2001, as amended, authorizes the board of a Michigan school district to award high school diplomas to WWII, Korean and Vietnam veterans. The State of Michigan recognizes the important contribution and sacrifice these generations of men and women made in our nation‘s defense. On behalf of the State of Michigan, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs encourages school districts to present these diplomas to WWII, Korean and Vietnam veterans or their families.
Procedure
The veteran must meet all the following requirements:
- Before graduation from high school, the veteran enlisted in or was drafted into the armed forces of the United States between December 16, 1940 and December 31, 1946 (WWII); between June 27, 1950 and January 31, 1955 (Korean conflict); or between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1965 (Vietnam era).
- At the time of enlistment or draft, the veteran was enrolled in a high school of the district to which this application is made.
- The veteran did not subsequently graduate from high school.
- The veteran served under honorable conditions during WWII, the Korean conflict, or the Vietnam era.
The application form may be completed by the veteran or on his behalf by a spouse, brother or sister, child or grandchild. The application requires a copy of the veteran’s discharge from military service indicating honorable service between the dates of December 16, 1940 and December 31, 1946 (WWII); between June 27, 1950 and January 31, 1955 (Korean conflict); or between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. The applicant’s signature certifies the remaining information. The school district may verify the dates of the veteran’s school enrollment from their own records.
Replacement of a Discharge from Military Service
A veteran or next of kin may request a copy of the veteran’s discharge from military service from the National Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. The National Records Center recommends submitting an electronic request at
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html. A written request may be submitted using Standard Form 180 “Request Pertaining to Military Records.” You may print the form at
http://www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf.
Requests require the signature of the veteran or next of kin, if the veteran is deceased. Please include the veteran’s full name, date of birth, branch of military service, service number and approximate dates of military service.
A veteran who received Michigan’s WWII bonus (Public Act 12 of 1947, MCL 35.921), Korean bonus (Public Act 8 of 1955, MCL 35.972) or Vietnam bonus (Public Act 370 of 1974, MCL 35.1021-.1038) may request by letter a copy of the discharge from military service from the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund, P.O. Box 30104, Lansing, MI 48909. Please note, delayed applications for the WWII, Korean and/or Vietnam bonuses cannot be accepted. Requests require the signature of the veteran or next of kin, if the veteran is deceased. The next of kin must include a copy of the veteran’s death certificate. Please include the veteran’s full name, date of birth, branch of military service, service number and approximate dates of military service.
Authority & Additional Information
Public Act 181 of 2001, as amended, authorizes individual school boards to award these diplomas. You may review Public Act 181 of 2001 on the internet at http://www.legislature.mi.gov by clicking Public Acts in the left hand margin.
Application for High School Diploma for Michigan WWII, Korean and Vietnam Era Veterans Public Act 181 of 2001 as amended
This application is used to establish the eligibility of an honorably discharged WWII, Korean or Vietnam era veteran for receipt of a high school diploma from the State of Michigan. The veteran must have attended high school in Michigan and must have served in the military between December 16, 1940 and December 31, 1946 (WWII); June 23, 1950 and January 31, 1955 (Korean conflict); or February 29, 1961 and May 7, 1975 (Vietnam era).
Return the completed application to the veteran’s school district for processing.