Peekskill Veteran Awarded High School Diploma After 72 Years

Seventy-two years ago, long-time Peekskill resident John “Jack” Lancaster was called to serve in the United States Navy shortly after our country entered World War II. Barely 18 years old, Lancaster left home in February of 1943, only four months shy of his high school graduation date. While serving in the Navy, he earned a Victory Medal, an American Theater Medal and a European Theater Medal, but there was one honor that Lancaster earned that he never had the chance to claim- his high school diploma.

Finally, at age 93, Lancaster received his diploma surrounded by family and friends at a Peekskill Board of Education meeting on July 7. The presentation ceremony took place thanks to Lancaster’s good friend and fellow Peekskill resident Jim Taylor who contacted Peekskill Superintendent Dr. David Fine about the matter. In turn, Dr. Fine reached out to New York State’s Operation Recognition, which recognizes veterans who left high school without graduating because they were called to action during wartime (specifically World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War).

“I really appreciate [Peekskill] getting this together for Jack,” said Taylor, who works for Peekskill Middle School’s LEAP program. “I know that it is very important to him to have this particular piece of paper that he missed out on because he got called out early. I thank the Board of Education for that and I thank Jack for being here to receive it.”

After accepting his diploma, Lancaster spoke to those in attendance, thanking them for their support and also requesting that they remember four of his fellow classmates from Peekskill High School’s Class of 1943 who were also called to serve, but sadly did not return from the war.

“I ask you that as you honor me today, that you also honor my classmates who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Lancaster said. “Honor them by thinking about them in your hopes, your prayers and in your memory, because in my generation, they were heroes.”

Lancaster then added, “Thank you again for this. You’ve made an old man very happy.”

Dr. Fine noted that the Peekskill City School District was happy to help award Lancaster his long overdue diploma and would like to help other veterans who may have also missed their opportunity to graduate due to military service.

“It was an absolute joy and honor to be a part of recognizing Mr. Lancaster’s high school career and being able to award him his diploma,” Fine said. “We’re in the process of working with other organizations in the area to find other Peekskill High School graduates who were called to duty before they could receive their degrees so we can help recognize them as well.”

Photo: Local veteran John “Jack” Lancaster proudly displays his Peekskill High school diploma which was presented to him at a July 7 Peekskill Board of Education meeting.