The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) awards high school diplomas to qualifying U.S. Veterans and Japanese-American citizens through its distinguished Operation Recognition program.
Operation Recognition 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 relocated to a World War II internment camp for Japanese-American citizens. In 2005, the Board expanded the program to include veterans of the Vietnam War.
Diplomas have been provided to 199 veterans and Japanese-American citizens through SCOE’s Operation Recognition since 2001. Thirteen of the diplomas have been awarded posthumously.
Residents of Sacramento County are encouraged to request diplomas on behalf of themselves or qualifying family members, including persons now deceased. Following an application screening process, qualified applicants may be invited to receive their high school diploma at a regularly scheduled board meeting.
Qualifications for an Operation Recognition diploma include:
- Applicant is a current or former 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—provide name of high school the applicant was attending at the time of induction into military service or internment.
- Those who meet the qualifications but earned their GED are also eligible.
For more information, or to receive an Operation Recognition diploma application, call (916) 228-2416.