Fox Cities News

Russel Diener received an honorary high school diploma in a ceremony at the Oshkosh Area School District Board of Education meeting on April 9, 2025. Diener, who sacrificed his education to serve in the Vietnam War, was acknowledged with a Veterans Diploma by Superintendent Bryan Davis and Board of Education President Beth Wyman.

"We have the distinct honor and privilege to recognize a veteran in our community by awarding a Veterans Diploma," stated district officials during the ceremony.

Diener served as a Private in the Marine Corps in San Diego, California, until a severe injury led to his honorable discharge in January 1974.

The diploma was issued as part of a Wisconsin program that allows local school boards to award diplomas to veterans who left school to join the U.S. Armed Forces during specified war periods. Support from the Wisconsin Disabled Veterans organization, particularly from Mike Hert, played a crucial role in Diener's pursuit of this diploma.

With the presentation of this diploma, Oshkosh West High School and the district conveyed pride in Diener's service and offered closure to an educational journey postponed over fifty years ago.