SGT Marvin Herbert Scharf

courtesy of Kathy Holland

SGT Marvin Herbert Scharf was born in Chicago, Illinois on 22 Feb 1924. He was the 2nd of the 3 sons born to Dr. Lewis Edward and Addie (Jonesi) Scharf. His father was a physician who worked for the U.S. government in the Veterans Administration and because of that the family sometimes moved and ended up in Los Angeles County, California. In 1940 the family was living in Huntington, New York, they then moved to Battle Creek, Michigan where Marvin graduated from Central High School. The family then moved to Austin, Texas and Marvin attended the University of Texas. Unfortunately a complete higher education wasn't to be for Marvin.

Already in the U.S. Army reserves, Marvin was called to active duty in March 1943. After infantry training he was eventually sent to the European theater. PFC Scharf was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 22 Jul 1944 to serve as a rifleman despite at least some previous medical training. He was promoted to SGT on 1 Nov 1944. SGT Scharf then served as a squad leader in G Company in the fighting at Baesweiler, Setterich, Ungerhausen, Englesdorf, and finally, Koslar. It was on 28 Nov 1944, the day that Koslar was officially declared captured/secured that SGT Scharf was wounded later dying of his wound(s) on that same day.

SGT Scharf was repatriated and re-interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.