Yes, UW–Madison granted war diplomas to recognize students who left campus for military service. The practice dates back to the Civil War, when more than 70,000 soldiers trained on campus and 31 UW students lost their lives. In 1917, as the U.S. prepared to enter World War I, the university established an officers’ training camp and revived the policy: seniors were to be graduated, and other students received credit for the semester, or “war certificates,” before leaving to serve. Similar credits were also given to students leaving school for agricultural work, which was “considered not less essential in 1917 than the formation of the fighting line.” The 1918–19 catalogue records that 207 war diplomas were awarded to the Class of 1918, and the following year’s catalogue marks graduates who received war diplomas or died in service with a star or cross next to their names. Later wars saw related accommodations — like waiving apprenticeships for students serving in World War II — though formal war diplomas were less common. Because these diplomas were not officially designated differently from regular degrees, there is no single record of all recipients; however, students who gave their lives in service are honored on UW’s Gold Star Honor Roll, a lasting tribute to their sacrifice.