A Knoxville High School graduate from 1944 gathered with friends at the Hy-Vee in Altoona on Thursday, thinking he was there for a birthday party; but instead, they helped him get recognized for an athletic achievement from 75 years ago.

Ted Williams (right) won a silver medal in the discus at the 1944 Drake Relays; with metal in short supply due to World War II, he and the other winners received certificates redeemable for their awards after the war.

But Williams enlisted in the Marine Corps right out of school, seeing action in the South Pacific including at Guadalcanal; so he never got around to turning in the certificate and getting his medal.

His friends recently discovered this, and secretly arranged for Drake University representatives to be at the party and at last present it to him after all these years. Bob Clark gave him the award on behalf of Drake.

Knoxville High School activities director Ryan Paulsen was on hand to represent the school; he says honoring Williams for his long-ago achievement is one of the best things he’s ever done as an athletics administrator.

Paulsen presented Williams with a Knoxville High School track T-shirt, and Williams was also recognized by Simpson College and the City of Altoona.