Bill Larkin dropped out of high school over 70 years ago. He was only 17, and was determined to join the Marines and fight in World War II. This week, he will be graduating with his diploma from Skiatook High School at 90 years old.
“I do not know what I need a diploma now for, I am not looking for a job. I have done just fine without one.” said Larkin. “The Skiatook principal called and wanted me to come to graduation and said I would have a cap and gown, and they were giving me a diploma to honor me.”
Skiatook Schools Administration contacted Larkin after he was one of two Iwo Jima survivors honored at a Tulsa ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the battle.
Skiatook Principal Will Parker and Assistant Principle Jenny McElyea found that Larkin was missing only one history requirement to qualify for his diploma — and determined that his service in the military fulfilled that requirement.
Larkin’s father did not support his decision to join the military so young, and instead wanted him to continue to work on the family farm and finish his last semester of high school.
Despite his father’s wishes, Larkin met with a Marine Corps Master Sergeant in Tulsa to enlist. He told the recruiter he was 18.
After boot camp he was ready for his assignment and Larkin assumed all he could do was infantry, but the lieutenant asked him what he thought about driving a tank.
Larkin was interested and was sent to tank driving school near San Diego. After driving school he went to mechanic school, and he worked diligently to be one of the top students in his class.
“I studied real hard, because the ones with the highest grades got to go back to Fort Knox in Kentucky for extra school, and I thought maybe I could do that,” said Larkin.
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