When Cpl. Ralph Conte speaks of World War II, listeners hang on to every word, and for a moment, you think you're there, wondering how one person can contain so much bravery. Conte joined the United States Army in 1942 and landed on Utah Beach 95 days after D-Day.” All hell broke loose," Conte said. Then, 14 days later, he was wounded on the front lines.  Someone said get in the foxhole. I went like this, and the shrapnel of the phone he carried slit my wrist open. "Cpl. Conte received a Purple Heart for that wound. In 1945, Conte and a fellow soldier captured 18 German soldiers and secured a supply route for allies. For this heroic action Ralph Cone received a Bronz Star. "I saw all these Germans with their rifles against the wall — that was dumb. I pointed the gun on them right away," said Conte. While he accepted the highest honor from the French President Emmanuel Macron, and presented by the French Consul General, his mind traveled back in time. "I feel bad because so many guys I know died. "During his moments of solitude, Conte said, "My mind wanders about the war; it always come goes back to the war." While remembering the mental battle they all faced, he added, "We had guys that killed themselves. I thought about it once. "Now, he is the holder of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and the National Order of the Legion of Honor. "I don't see myself as anything here, just a guy who's going to be 106 and has been in the service," said Conte. While Conte does not consider himself a hero, he has received the highest honor from the President of France that says otherwise.

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