Background and Military Career
Schonely was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, the first child of Walter and Juanita Schonely. A stutterer as a child, Schonely worked on a weekly high school information radio show on WNAR in Norristown, which led to opportunities at radio and television stations in Philadelphia. Upon graduating, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and was sent to Guam. While stationed overseas, Schonely transferred to Armed Forces Radio, where he was a disc jockey as well as doing news, sports and interviews. He also did his first play-by-play, calling military football and baseball games. In 1951, Schonely was reassigned to Quantico, Virginia, where he worked on the weekly base newspaper and emceed military events and parades under the guidance of General Clifton B. Cates. Among his duties were escorting military celebrities to New York City, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia for radio and TV interviews.
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