World War II veterans presented high school diplomas

The Sadler brothers didn't finish high school, but they got an education of a different sort on the battlefields in World War II.

William "Woody" Sadler and his brothers, Donald and Edward "Cotton" Sadler, now in their 70s, finally got their chance to don black gowns and mortarboards when they received honorary diplomas during a Veterans Day celebration at Chaffee High School in Chaffee, Mo., Friday. Students applauded from the gymnasium stands as each man received a diploma.

More than half a century ago, many Americans sacrificed their educations to serve in the military.

"I just wanted to get right in the middle of it," said Woody Sadler, 79, Cape Girardeau, who enlisted in the Marine Corps on Aug. 10, 1942, and fought battles against the Japanese in the Pacific.

World War II veteran J.W. Poe of Chaffee also received an honorary diploma. A fifth diploma was presented posthumously to veteran Ray Andrew Gramlisch, who served in the Army in World War II.

Gramlisch fought in the Battle of the Bulge and the Normandy invasion. His war record earned him four Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.

He died last month. Glenda Lesch, his daughter, accepted the diploma.

The Korean War prevented Cape Girardeau natives Glenn Wilkinson and Robert Sides Sr. from getting their high school diplomas. Wilkinson joined the Navy just two credits shy of getting his diploma from the former College High School in Cape Girardeau, and Sides entered the Army while attending the former John S. Cobb High School in Cape Girardeau.

Both were rewarded for their service Friday with honorary diplomas from Cape Girardeau Central High School at its Veterans Day tribute. Both received standing ovations as students presented them with diplomas and black T-shirts that read: "Honorary members of the Class of 2002."

The event was held in the packed high-school auditorium, which featured a presentation of music, pictures and attendees from veterans of several U.S. wars.

Always wanted diploma

"I thought about trying to get my diploma several times in life, but I always regretted not getting it," said Wilkinson, 70, a retired Union Electric Co. worker. "This is just wonderful."

Wilkinson served four years on an aircraft carrier in the Atlantic Ocean escorting pilots and aircraft to England.

Sides, 69, served two years in Korea, where he was a field artillery man. Sides moved back to Cape Girardeau 10 years ago after 23 years as supervisor for housekeeping at the University of Illinois.

"I'm so grateful," Sides said. "I'm so honored, especially with Veterans Day just around the corner. It means so much to me."

Sides' son, Robert Sides Jr., came to see his father graduate.

"It was so important to him," Sides said. "It's something he's wanted for a very long time. It was all he's talked about all day."

With more than 40 relatives in attendance, the Sadlers had a huge rooting section in the Chaffee High School gym. After the celebration, relative after relative grabbed them for pictures as they stood at one end of the gym.

Considered college

Clutching his diploma, Woody Sadler said he was glad to have the honorary diploma. "I am just thankful that somebody thought enough to give us one," he said.

After the war, Sadler considered college. Even without a high-school degree, he managed to enroll at Southeast Missouri State University. He dropped out after three weeks.

"I couldn't last with those kids," said Sadler, who landed jobs with a lumber yard, electrical contractor and eventually a meatpacker.

Donald Sadler, 77, quit school in 1941 to go to work to help support his family. The Sadlers' father was a disabled World War I veteran.

When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Donald Sadler wanted to enlist immediately. He was 17. "Mom wouldn't sign the papers," he recalled.

But a year later, he got his wish and enlisting in the Navy. "I liked the water," he said.

Discharged on Dec. 4, 1945, he enlisted in the Naval Reserve in January 1948. He was called back to active duty in October 1950 and served in the Korean War before being discharged for the final time in July 1952. He now lives in Cape Girardeau.

Unexpected

Like his brothers, Donald Sadler said he never expected to get a diploma.

Cotton Sadler was a high-school freshman when he enlisted in the Navy on Jan. 25, 1945, at the age of 17. He was working as a Seabee in California making $100 a month when the war ended.

He said a lot of high-school students enlisted in World War II partly out of patriotism and partly for the pay. "Back then jobs were few," said Cotton Sadler.

Poe reported for Navy bootcamp the day after his 18th birthday. He shipped out on a flat-bottomed supply boat that anchored south of the Mississippi River bridge at Cape Girardeau on the night of Jan. 9, 1945, on a lengthy journey to Pearl Harbor.

A retired railroad conductor, Poe didn't even think about wearing a graduation gown. But he liked getting the diploma. "It just shows a little appreciation," he said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

smoyers@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137