Ernie Pyle was one of the best war correspondents who has ever existed. (Not just my opinion!) He wrote about the men and their experiences. He included their names and home towns in his writings. He wasn't content to travel in relative safety with the rest of the correspondents. He traveled with the soldiers, ate with them, slept where they slept, and on 18 April 1945, he died with them. He was killed by a Japanese sniper's bullet while covering the war on the Pacific island of Ie Shima.
Back in High School, I took Journalism. At that time, the Peace Action in Vietnam was in process. The "Tacoma News Tribune" regularly carried excellent articles by a journalist. I can't remember his name. Sure wish I did! He came to Tacoma once. My Journalism Class attended a speech he was giving. It was thrilling. Today, though, the only thing I can remember clearly is that he told us that his goal as he was writing had been to write as had Ernie Pyle.
Air Force News, 31 March 1995 - Remembering Ernie Pyle by TSgt. David P. Masko Editor, AFNS Features
None today can hold a candle to Ernie Pyle - from a 1991 newspaper article by Russell Smith
Ernie Pyle and an Unknown - by Allan R. Andrews, Editor, Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo, Japan. First published April 13, 1997.
Indiana Historical Society / Hoosier Heritage - Ernie Pyle
Ernie's Stories Found On-line:
The Horrible Waste of War (From Encyclopedia Britannica On-Line)
Even to Land Was a Miracle : Sprawling Bodies Tell Mute Story of Death in the Murderous Fire (printed in The Stars and Stripes on Monday, June 12, 1944)
Capt. Waskow - won Ernie the Pulitzer Prize (Moved, trying to locate - 20 October 2000.)
Ernie's Tombstone - Punchbowl Memorial Cemetery (National Cemetery Of The Pacific), Honolulu, Hawaii - from Find a Grave
Ernie Pyle State Historic Site - Located in Dana, Indiana, hometown of Ernie
E-Mail Jim & Jeannie - 
All Links Verified 16 March 2003
09 May 2005 15:50
Webmaster - Brunetta Lafara Lingg
©Brunetta Lafara Lingg, 1998