Nearly 75 years after he was forced out of military due to the color of his skin, World War II veteran and former Lincoln University student Nelson Henry Jr. has finally received an honorable discharge, writes Melanie Burney for the  Philadelphia Inquirer.

Henry, 95, was notified on Monday by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records that his discriminatory “blue discharge” from 1945 had been changed to honorable. The veteran called the decision “a miracle.”

“I’m still wondering if it’s a dream,” said Henry. “I’m not sure how many more days I have left, but I may not ever get over it. It’s a great feeling.”

Henry’s lawyers filed an appeal in March asking to upgrade his discharge. Due to his age, the Army agreed to expedite its review, which usually takes a minimum of 18 months.

The Army Board reviewed dozens of documents before deciding Henry should receive a discharge from active duty “showing his character of service as honorable.”

“He served his country with honor and is entitled to have this injustice corrected during his life,” said the board.

Read more about Nelson Henry Jr. in the Philadelphia Inquirer here.

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