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A State High School Diploma for Leaving School to Serve — Posthumous Awards Allowed

14 Del. C. §159 awards a state high school diploma to someone who left a Delaware high school before graduating to serve in the Second World War, Korea or Vietnam, was discharged under honorable conditions, and did not receive a diploma — or received a GED — as a consequence. Holding a GED does not disqualify you. Posthumous awards are authorised, so a family may apply for a veteran who has died.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

14 Del. C. §159 awards a state high school diploma to someone who left a Delaware high school before graduating to serve in the Second World War, Korea or Vietnam, was discharged under honorable conditions, and did not receive a diploma — or received a GED — as a consequence. Holding a GED does not disqualify you. Posthumous awards are authorised, so a family may apply for a veteran who has died.

What it's worth: A state high school diploma, awardable posthumously

  • The qualifying service windows are 7 December 1941 to 11 December 1946 (with occupation service to 8 September 1951), 27 June 1950 to 31 January 1955, and 1 May 1961 to 30 April 1975.
  • The veteran must have attended a Delaware high school before service.
  • Holding a GED does NOT disqualify you. The statute expressly covers someone who received a GED as a consequence of service.
  • Posthumous awards are authorised, so a family may apply for a veteran who has died.
  • It is awarded by the Department of Education jointly with the Commission of Veterans Affairs.
  • There is no fee and no disability test.

Who is entitled to it

  • You left high school before graduating in order to serve.
  • The veteran was discharged under honorable conditions.
  • You are in Delaware.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

  1. 1Apply to the Department of Education, which awards it jointly with the Commission of Veterans Affairs.
  2. 2A GED is not a bar. The statute expressly covers people who took one because service stopped them finishing school.
  3. 3If the veteran has died, apply anyway — posthumous awards are authorised and a family member may apply.
  4. 4Check the service windows: 1941-1946 (occupation service to 1951), 1950-1955, and 1961-1975.
  5. 5Take the discharge document. For this cohort it may be an older form than a DD-214.
Form
Application to the Department of Education
File with
Delaware Department of Education, with the Commission of Veterans Affairs
Documents you will need
dd214
No renewal
Once granted it does not need renewing.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.