SHREWSBURY, Mass. — A 94-year-old World War II veteran has received his high school diploma — 74 years after he would have gotten it had he not enlisted.

Paul Snow says he felt “naked” from all the attention he received Thursday during a ceremony at St. John’s High School, but says he always wanted to get his diploma. The Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports the Worcester native enlisted in the US Navy a day before his 18th birthday in 1943, and was honorably discharged about three years later.

Democratic US Rep. James McGovern and St. John’s High School worked together to award a diploma to Snow as a tribute to his service. Snow was awarded an honorary diploma dated June 17, 1945.