COAL TOWNSHIP - At age 17, James Madara willingly left his junior year of high school and enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II. On Tuesday - nearly 70 years later - he was presented his high school diploma as the newest member of Shamokin Area High School's class of 2011.
Madara, 87, of East Cameron Township and a native of Shamokin, was surprised when his grandson, Wesley, who will graduate from Shamokin Thursday, handed him the diploma during a senior awards ceremony at Shamokin Area Middle-Senior High School.
Madara, who would have graduated in 1943, received a loud applause from members of the class of 2011, district staff, families and friends.
The emotional moment was made possible by "Operation Recognition," a piece of legislation passed in June 2001 that authorized school districts to grant a high school diploma to any honorably discharged veteran who served in the United States military in World War II between Sept. 16, 1940, and Dec. 31, 1946.
Madara also qualified to receive his diploma during Tuesday's ceremony because he attended high school between 1937 and 1946 and would have been a member of a graduation class between 1941 and 1950, but did not graduate due to entry into military service. He is eligible to receive a diploma from Shamokin Area because he is a resident of the district and attended Shamokin High School, a predecessor of the current district.
"It's a great way to recognize the men who have made sacrifices to help preserve our freedom," high school Principal Chris Venna said. "It's a great story and it had special significance since Wesley is also about to graduate."
Serving his country
Madara was born on April 21, 1924. At 16, he wanted to enlist in the Navy, but was rejected because of his age. At 17, and with his parents' permission, he was accepted into the Navy. He left his classmates behind at the Shamokin High School, formerly located at Eighth and Arch streets, Shamokin.
He began his military career as an apprentice seaman and progressed through the ranks as first class seaman, third class petty officer and finally earned his second stripe as a second class gunner's mate. He served in the South Pacific on the U.S.S. President Adams, where he earned two gold stars for his involvements in the Battle of Saipan and the Battle of Guam as a member of a landing craft control boat.
In 1945, he earned a weekend pass for the Christmas holidays. He sent word home to his sweetheart, Margaret, whom he wed on Christmas day. He went back to his ship the very next morning, and the couple have been married for 65 years.
"I went down to Pearl Harbor, and served on the rifle and pistol range on Maui until I was called to the big island," he said. "Believe it or not, they gave me the papers to come home the day the war ended."
Through the years, he worked in the plumbing, heating and electric fields. He and Margaret have two children, Linda and Ferdie, six grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Earning his diploma
Venna said Madara's son, Ferdie, contacted the district several months ago to see if his father would be eligible for a diploma. School records verified that Madara left school during the required time, and proper military paperwork confirmed his service. The district ordered a diploma and arranged to have his grandson present it during the awards ceremony.
Just moments before the ceremony began, Madara shook hands with his grandson and asked him if he was ready.
"Yes. Are you ready Pap?" was his reply.
"It's a great thing," Madara said before accepting his diploma. "I have no regrets about enlisting. That's what I wanted to do."