World War II veteran to receive honorary high school diploma

Charles Benning was just 17 years old when he was drafted to serve in World War II. But the now 92-year-old Benning is finally accomplishing his dream of receiving his high school diploma.

Benning left his home of Yellow Springs, Ohio, to serve in World War II, and was stationed in several countries, including Germany and France. But the African-American Benning also faced constant abuse while in the military because of the color of his skin.

"Back in the 1930s and 40s, for African Americans in the U.S. military, that's another side of the story that people just don't hear -- and he tells it," Sean Jenkins, Benning's grandson, told ABC News. "Some of [the soldiers] would treat him so bad with the verbal abuse...he said it was horrible."

"He's achieved so much...Trying to do the right thing and be there for our country," Jenkins said.

Jenkins says though that the one thing his grandfather regrets in his long life was never being able to graduate from high school. So Jenkins called the school and explained how his grandfather had always desired to receive his diploma.

School administrators at Yellow Springs High School and the county's Board of Education all agreed that Benning had met the necessary requirements for graduation. The 92-year-old veteran would be allowed to receive an honorary diploma at the graduation ceremony on Thursday.

Benning was overjoyed and burst into tears after hearing the good news. "That's how happy he was," Jenkins says.

Yellow Springs High School is looking forward to having the veteran in their presence at the ceremony.

"Mr. Benning is an inspiring story that speaks generally to the commitment of veterans everywhere," Principal Tim Krier told ABC News. "But also more specifically to the depth of African-Americans' contributions in our collective history and our incredible village of Yellow Springs, Ohio. Candidly, we all feel honored to even be part of Mr. Benning's legacy."