APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Long time Appleton resident Armin Barth left school when he was 14 to serve our country.
Now at 95 years old, he received his High School Diploma and the Congressional Gold Medal.
Saturday started out as a normal day for Barth.
But once he entered a room full of family, friends, other veterans, and officials he knew something was up.
“I thought man there’s something going on now,” says Barth.
Barth’s family and friends had been planning this for a long time, and after getting approval from the Appleton Area School District’s board, their dream became a reality.
“Today on behalf of the Appleton Area School District, Board of Education, we present Armin Barth with this diploma acknowledging his tremendous journey, and affirming our commitment to honoring the invaluable contributions of our veterans,” said Appleton School Board President, Kay Eggert.
“Not long after the Pearl Harbor attack in 1942, Armin left Roosevelt Junior High School having only completed eight years of grammar school and one year of high school, at the age of 14 headed to the west coast to support the effort in the war,” said Armin’s Grandson, Rick Hojan.
At that time, Barth joined the Merchant Marines and served in WWII.
After, Barth enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps before returning to Northeast Wisconsin to work as a truck driver for Consolidated Freightways in Menasha for 55 years.
Barth also received the Congressional Gold Medal presented by U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-8th District, which he earned for his heroic service.
“Young Americans who answer the call to serve in the armed forces, especially during war time, are deserving of the praise and admiration of a grateful nation,” says Gallagher.
Although Barth says his favorite thing he’s taking home, is his hard earned high school diploma.
“I made high school at 95, just imagine,” says Barth.
Barth always encouraged his children and grandchildren to finish their education, as he wished he could’ve.
“They’re all going at least through high school, and my daughters did go through college,” said Barth.
Aside from all the other accomplishments Barth has made throughout his life, his next goal is to be able to live to be 100 years old.
“Keep cutting that grass,” says Barth.
