A Brooklyn man who earned two Purple Hearts fighting in WWII has earned something that gives him an equally great source of pride ? his high school diploma.

Irving Sokolofsky, who is days away from his 88th birthday, received his diploma Thursday. Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, along with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowtiz, presented Sokolofsky with the honor at his Sheepshead Bay nursing home.

Relatives say Sokolofsky dropped out of Franklin K. Lane High School to support his family. He later answered the call to war. Sokolofsky took enemy fire while landing on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. While the veteran has experienced a lot over the years, his family says receiving a diploma is one of his greatest accomplishments.

Sokolofsky says he plans to prominently display the diploma in his room.