On Tuesday, September 24, 2019, Albert Buxton received his high school diploma from Northwest Local School District-Cincinnati. The board granted his wish – to finally receive his diploma. “I finally got my diploma, finally graduated after 57 years."
Buxton left high school in December 1961 to enlist in the Navy during the Cuban crisis and Vietnam conflict. He took his training at GLNTC in Chicago in January 1962 for 8 weeks. After basic training he was sent to USS Intrepid (CVS-11) in Norfolk as a seaman on the admiral's staff as a boatswain mate on his GIG.
Buxton was helping his grandson on the district progress book and noticed that there was a section for veterans to receive their diplomas. The State of Ohio allows school districts to recognize the efforts of those who left high school during WWII, the Korean conflict or the Vietnam conflict (Ohio revised code), prior to graduation, in order to join the war effort.
Buxton has four children, 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. “My family had no idea that I never received my diploma, and they were happy to see me get it,” he said. "I’m proud of my diploma that I received from Colerain High School, proud to be an American citizen and proud to have served my country."
Buxton has been an American Legion member for 55 years and is a proud member of Yeager-Benson Memorial Post 199 in Harrison, Ohio.