John Sampl doesn’t have much in common with those graduating from Berlin High School this year. The 99-year-old World War II veteran has lived a full, serving overseas in the military, then caring for a family while working as a crane operator. But this year, the class of 1941 member finally received his diploma.
“I finally got it,” Sampl said. “It only took a couple years. It’s a big honor, I’ve never had an honor like this. It feels beautiful.”
Sampl received his high school diploma more than 80 years after dropping out of school to serve his country in the U.S. Navy, a decision which saw him sail the world aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Bogue. The veteran, who turns 100 in October, has been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, American Theatre Ribbons, Asiatic Pacific Ribbons, and World War II Victory Medal for his service in the war.
Sampl was awarded the high school diploma at Berlin’s Board of Education meeting Monday all thanks to a state law passed in 2000 authorizing school districts to award diplomas to all honorably discharged World War II veterans who would have graduated had they not been called to serve in the armed forces.
“I didn’t think anything of it,” Sampl said. “In those days, you joined and served. There really wasn’t any thinking about it. You just did it.”
Sampl, like many of his generation who were compelled to military service, entered the armed forces to support his family and was thrust into a generation-defining war after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Sampl, who served in the military for three years, was a gunner’s mate aboard the U.S.S. Bogue sailing through both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. Gunner’s mates are responsible for the operation and maintenance of gun mounts and other weapons aboard carriers, according to the U.S. Navy.
“We sailed through the Panama Canal and the ship was so big, we barely squeezed through,” Sampl said. “I got to go all over the world, it’s something I’ll never forget.”
After the war, Sampl returned to Berlin to work on his family farm and also at the former Ferndale Dairy Farm. Sampl later transitioned into a 40-year career as a crane operator for several companies, including Tilcon in New Britain. Sampl’s brother Harry, who passed away in 2017, also served in the U.S. Army during World War II and received a Purple Heart.
Sampl’s daughter, Linda Dovitski, first got the idea to honor her Dad after seeing a local news program.
“I saw in the local news that a World War II veteran received his diploma because he didn’t graduate due to his service,” Dovitski said. “So I then wondered if Connecticut also does it. I called the superintendent’s office and they said that while no one has ever asked, they would absolutely do it.”
With the help from Debbie Batista, executive secretary to the superintendent, Dovitski said the town was able to pull everything together within just a week of the first phone call.
“I literally just called them last week and here we are,” Dovitski said. “Dad just found out about this 10 minutes ago as we left the house. I wanted it to be a surprise.”
Dovitski, joined by her brother David and several other members of her family, called the occasion a great honor for her entire family.
“I didn’t realize until recently he had to leave school to support his family and serve his country,” said Andrew Coppa, Sampl’s nephew. “Like many of that generation, he did what he had to do and then came home. Now he’s finally getting the recognition he deserves.”
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