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Operation Recognition — the Diploma, Signed by the Governor

Missouri awards an honorary high school diploma, naming the school you attended and SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR, to honorably discharged veterans who did not return to finish school after service. Civilian prisoners of war are covered too. You may be a current OR FORMER Missouri resident, so leaving the state does not close it. Apply through the Missouri Veterans Commission with your discharge papers; MVC verifies and forwards to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

Missouri awards an honorary high school diploma, naming the school you attended and SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR, to honorably discharged veterans who did not return to finish school after service. Civilian prisoners of war are covered too. You may be a current OR FORMER Missouri resident, so leaving the state does not close it. Apply through the Missouri Veterans Commission with your discharge papers; MVC verifies and forwards to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

What it's worth: An honorary diploma naming your school, signed by the Governor

  • The diploma NAMES THE SCHOOL OF ATTENDANCE and is SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.
  • It reaches honorably discharged veterans who did not return to complete high school after service.
  • CIVILIAN PRISONERS OF WAR are covered.
  • You may be a CURRENT OR FORMER Missouri resident.
  • Apply through the Missouri Veterans Commission, which verifies and forwards to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
  • No fee and no deadline are published.

Who is entitled to it

  • You are in one of the groups who can pursue this.
  • The discharge was honorable.
  • School was interrupted by service.
  • Missouri awards it.

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 through the Missouri Veterans Commission, not directly to the school or to DESE.
  2. 2Send the discharge papers with the application. MVC verifies before forwarding.
  3. 3Name the school you attended — the diploma names it, so get it right.
  4. 4If you have left Missouri, apply anyway. Former residents are covered.
  5. 5Allow time if you want it for a birthday or a reunion; verification and forwarding take weeks.
Form
Operation Recognition application, Missouri Veterans Commission
File with
Missouri Veterans Commission
Documents you will need
dd214
No renewal
Once granted it does not need renewing.
Worth knowingUnusually, this one covers civilian prisoners of war as well as veterans.

Sources

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