Combat Camaraderie On Normandy Beach

The Untold Story with Martha MacCallum

FOX News Podcasts

News

4.1 • 738 Ratings

🗓️ 7 June 2024

⏱️ 10 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

At 16 years old, Ronald “Rondo” Scharfe lied about his age to join the military. Though he told his parents he likely wouldn't be sent overseas until he was of age, Rondo found himself shipped off just three months after enlisting -- where he would go on to fight in the Battle of Iwo Jima before most teenagers graduated high school. Martha originally met Rondo on a trip to Iwo Jima while writing her book Unknown Valor, and now the two meet back up in Normandy, France as they commemorate D-Day. Rondo discusses what it feels like to be surrounded by fellow WWII veterans on the 80th anniversary, how what he went through in combat and the loss of his comrades has forever impacted his outlook on life, and what his hopes are for America moving forward. Follow Martha on X: @MarthaMacCallum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:47.7	Hello, everybody. It's Martha McCallum here, and it's a new edition of the Untold Story podcast.
0:53.5	And I want to introduce you to another World War II veteran who joined us here in Normandy.
0:56.0	His name is Rondo Scharf. And he lied about his age to join the military.
0:58.0	He was 16 years old, and he ended up fighting at that age on Iwo Jima.
1:03.0	He's now four months shy of 97.
1:06.0	He says he knows how lucky he is to be here today.
1:10.0	You know, when you're in this environment and you're with so many other veterans,
1:14.6	does it take you back all of you and how do you relate to each other?
1:19.6	How does it feel to see other people who understand your history?
1:22.6	Well, the only ones you get along with or they can understand you is if you're a combat vet. Like I've got PTSD. I've
1:29.7	had it all my life and it'll never go away till you're gone. And you know, as long as the
1:36.4	people remember that the vets are still around, the guys feel good about it. You know, because
1:41.7	there's some of the memories are good some are bad some are happy some are sad
1:46.7	and so I mean that's that's all part of life you know Rhonda we've we've talked to you before
1:53.2	and a lot of our viewers know your story but for for those who don't you signed up at 16 you
1:59.8	broke the rules to get in early. Why did you do that?
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