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Vietnam War veteran fulfills dream decades after leaving school to serve nation

At 76, David Densmore received his high school diploma in spring 2026, nearly six decades after enlisting in the Marines at 17 to fight in the Vietnam War instead of graduating from Northeast High School in Pasadena, Maryland.
Instead of graduating in 1968, Densmore chose military service over his senior year, enlisting at 17 to fight in the Vietnam War. He told sister station WBAL, "I just wanted to serve the country and make peace."
Six months into his Vietnam tour, Densmore developed a lung infection requiring medical treatment and discharge from the Marines in 1970. About a year ago, he learned of a little-known law allowing veterans from World War II, Korea, or Vietnam conflicts to receive diplomas.
Densmore told WBAL receiving his diploma made him feel "equal with the people I went to school with," adding "It was a big gap, and I missed that. But with the diploma, I made it."
Although Densmore cannot walk with the Northeast High School Class of 2026 at their June ceremony, Principal Doug Schreiber has invited him to return and speak with students about his military service and life experience.

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