Ernie Pyle

Ernest Taylor Pyle, better known as Ernie Pyle (August 3, 1900 – April 18, 1945) was an American journalist, who wrote as a roving correspondent for the Scripps Howard newspaper chain from 1935 on. His articles were about the out-of-the-way places he visited and the people who lived there, told in a folksy style much like a personal letter from a friend, that won him a loyal following in as many as 200 newspapers.

Related Topics:
August 3 - 1900 - April 18 - 1945 - American - Journalist - Scripps Howard - 1935 - Newspaper

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He was born on a tenant farm near Dana, Indiana and wrote briefly for local newspapers before moving to Washington, D.C.. He became the nation's first aviation columnist and later was managing editor of the Washington Daily News before taking on the national column.

Related Topics:
Tenant farm - Dana, Indiana - Washington, D.C. - Aviation - Columnist - Washington Daily News

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

With the entry of the U.S. into World War II, Pyle became a war correspondent, applying his intimate style to the war. Instead of the movements of armies or the activities of generals, Pyle wrote from the perspective of the common soldier, an approach that won him not only further popularity but the Pulitzer Prize in 1944.

Related Topics:
World War II - War correspondent - Pulitzer Prize - 1944

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In that year, he had written a column urging that soldiers in combat get "fight pay" as airmen were paid "flight pay". Congress passed a law giving soldiers 50 percent extra pay for combat service. The legislation was called "the Ernie Pyle bill."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He reported from the United States, Europe, Africa, and the Pacific. When Pyle was in Africa, he was a cabin-mate of Will Lang Jr. On April 18, 1945 Pyle died on Ie Shima, an island off Okinawa Honto, as the result of sniper fire from an enemy position.

Related Topics:
United States - Europe - Africa - Pacific - Will Lang Jr. - Ie Shima - Okinawa Honto - Sniper

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pyle's legacy is preserved at Indiana University, where he began his journalism training. The School of Journalism is housed in "Ernie Pyle Hall," and scholarships originated soon after his death are still given to students who have ability in journalism, the promise of future success in the profession, and a military service record. A major initial contribution to the scholarships came from the proceeds of the world premiere of the film, The Story of G.I. Joe, which starred Burgess Meredith as Pyle.

Related Topics:
Indiana University - Scholarship - The Story of G.I. Joe - Burgess Meredith

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pyle is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~