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Ernie Pyle – The Voice Of G.I. Joe
March 6, 2019 @ 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Ernie Pyle was one of the greatest reporters in American history. after writing one of the most popular and widely published newspaper columns in the USA, he became the voice of the average infantry soldier during World War II. In this role, Ernie Pyle became legendary.
The Second World War was covered by a number of brilliant journalists.Ā Edward R. Murrow broadcast brilliantly from the rooftops of London, William L. Shirer personally witnessed the entry of Hitler into Austria and Walter Cronkite tirelessly covered the War for the United Press. Each filedĀ memorableĀ reports that helped Americans better understand the War.
Meanwhile, Ernie Pyle carved out an unforgettable niche for himself. Instead of covering the “big picture” of the War, Pyle traveled alongside the infantry. He became what we today would call an embedded journalist. Marching alongside the average G.I. Joe – a term he helped popularize – Ernie Pyle reported the “little picture.” He recorded the daily gripes and fears and small moments of humor encountered by the foot soldiers marching through Italy and then Germany. Millions of Americans read his columnĀ every day. His prose was crisp and observant and caring and sardonic.
When the War ended in Europe, Ernie Pyle returned home to New Mexico. Then, reluctantly, Pyle to join the forcesĀ preparing to invade 
Japan. He was exhausted, his personal life was in a shambles and he had a fearful premonition that he would die there.
On Okinawa, Ernie Pyle was killed by a sniper. The grief felt by his millions of readers and the entire Army was all but immeasurable. Tributes flowed from the President, from the leaders of the American military and from journalistsĀ around the world.
Perhaps the simple plaque erected by the soldiers who had marched alongsideĀ him would have been his favorite memorial. It read:
At this spot
The 77th Infantry DivisionĀ
Lost a buddy.
ERNIE PYLE.
18 April 1945
To this day, Ernie Pyle’s unique life, unforgettable writing, and tragic death place 
him in the pantheon of great correspondents. The School Of Journalism at Indiana University is named for Ernie Pyle and a number of books and a movie have helped keep his memory alive. Even Snoopy would regularly hist a can of K-Rations on the anniversary of Ernie Pyle’s death on the island of Okinawa.
Please join me for a unique and powerful multimedia presentation!