The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) is again awarding high school diplomas to qualifying U.S. Veterans and Japanese-American citizens through its popular “Operation Recognition” program.
The Operation Recognition program was adopted in October 2001 by the Sacramento County Board of Education to honor the contributions and sacrifices of individuals who missed completing high school to serve in the U.S. military (specifically World War II or the Korean War) or to relocate to a World War II internment camp for Japanese-American citizens. In 2005, the Sacramento County Board of Education expanded the program to include veterans of the Vietnam War.
The Board has provided diplomas to 188 veterans and Japanese-American citizens through Operation Recognition since 2001. Thirteen of the diplomas have been awarded posthumously.
How to Apply
Residents of Sacramento County are encouraged to request diplomas on behalf of themselves or qualifying family members, including persons now deceased. April 30, 2019, is the deadline to submit applications. The Sacramento County Board of Education is scheduled to hold its next Operation Recognition diploma ceremony on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. There is no charge to participate in the program.
Operation Recognition applications are available online or by calling (916) 228-2416. Applications are also available at the Sacramento County Veterans Service Office in midtown Sacramento: 2007 19th Street.
Qualifications
- Applicant or recipient is a Sacramento County resident;
- Veterans—show proof of Honorable Discharge from U.S. military service during WW II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War;
- Japanese-American citizens—show proof of internment in a WW II relocation camp; and
- Veterans and Japanese-American citizens—give name of high school that applicant was attending at time of induction into military service or internment.
An application may be submitted by a family member of a qualifying individual, living or deceased. Those who meet the qualifications, but earned a GED, also are eligible. Diploma recipients should be current or former Sacramento County residents. People living outside Sacramento County may be referred to their local county office of education.