World War II veteran receives diploma 70 years after missing high school

By Mike Bush

KSDK -- When walking the path of life, some people don't need company.

"I don't want to be in the spotlight or the limelight. I want to be what I am and that's it," says Ervin Himmighoefer, an 87-year-old World War II veteran from Germantown, Illinois.

If you ask Himmighoefer what he likes to do for fun he'll tell you, "nothing."

"I just sit here and watch TV," he says.

Twice married with no children, he says his closest friend is probably Leon Jenkins, who works with the St. Clair County Veterans Assistance Commission.

"I was helping him get his benefits and it turned into a friendship," says Jenkins.

Jenkins calls Himmighoefer "colorful" and a "great guy," once you get to know him. He may be colorful but he was born and raised in Belleville during an era we remember in black and white. He was one of 12 children.

"Seven boys and five girls," says Himmighoefer.

Even as a youngster during the Great Depression, Himmighoefer had responsibilities.

"I had to go down to the railroad tracks to pick up coal to keep warm," he recalls.

After the eighth grade, Himmighoefer had to help support the family instead of going to high school.

"My dad said we couldn't afford it. Just couldn't, no way," he says. "The old man said, 'You stay home and help making the living you see?'"

Himmighoefer joined the Marine Corps during World War II and fought in one of the fiercest battles of the Pacific campaign: the Battle of Iwo Jima. Some 7,000 Americans were killed there and he was awarded a Purple Heart.

"Well, I got blowed up and landed down on my head," he says with emphasis.

The most enduring image of that conflict is also on the first page in the photo album of his memory. He remembers the flag going up on Mount Suribachi.

"Oh hell yeah," he says. "I wasn't that close to it, but you could see it going up."

Himmighoefer says he never had much a career when he got back home, working mostly in construction.

"Any little thing you could get a hold of," he says.

Himmighoefer thought about going back to school but in his one bedroom apartment, Ervin has no room for sentiment.

"He tries to down himself sometimes," Jenkins says. "And I tell him, 'You had to go into the military. You had to.'"

That brings us to the St. Clair County government offices in Hemminghofer's hometown of Belleville more than 70 years in the making: his high school graduation ceremony.

"On behalf of Belleville District 201," says Dr. Greg A. Moats, the Belleville Superintendent. "I am very pleased to present you Ervin Hemminghofer with this honorary diploma from Belleville High School."

Standing next to Dr. Moats in front of a few onlookers, Himmighoefer responded, "Well, this is something unusual buddy I'll tell you that!"

In the state of Illinois, lawmakers passed legislation allowing war veterans who didn't finish high school the chance to get an honorary diploma from the local school district where they live. Leon Jenkins was Himmighoefer's sponsor.

"For him to get his diploma, well it excites me more than it did him," said Jenkins.

Many high school graduates go on to college but Hemminghofer laughs, "No."

The heroes who fought and won in World War II sacrificed everything and in return expected nothing. For some, all these years later, the scars remain.

"For the people who were there, it never ends," says Jenkins. "It never ends."

Ervin Himmighoefer never wanted any attention which is why it seems fitting that on this day he was in a class by himself.