Ernest Taylor 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 until his death in combat during World War II. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1944. His articles, about the out-of-the-way places he visited and the people who lived there, were written in a folksy style, much like a personal letter to a friend. He enjoyed a following in some 300 newspapers.


On April 18, 1945, Pyle died on Ie Shima, an island off Okinawa Honto, after being hit by Japanese machine-gun fire.[13] He was travelling in a jeep with Lieutenant Colonel Joseph B. Coolidge (commanding officer of the 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division) and three other men. The road, which ran parallel to the beach two or three hundred yards inland, had been cleared of mines, and hundreds of vehicles had driven over it. As the vehicle reached a road junction, an enemy machine gun located on a coral ridge about a third of a mile away began firing at them. The men stopped their vehicle and jumped into a ditch. Pyle and Coolidge raised their heads to look around for the others; when they spotted them, Pyle smiled and asked Coolidge "Are you all right?" Those were his last words. The machine gun began shooting again, and Pyle was struck in the left temple (however, the Ernie Pyle State Historic Site in Dana, Indiana, contains a telegram from the Government to Pyle's father stating Pyle was killed by a sniper).The colonel called for a medic, but none were present. It made no difference—Pyle had been killed instantly.

I totally agree, Jet. Your exhibit of Pearl Harbor is spellbounding. I am in total awe of your presentation.

Thank you for sharing it with this select audience. Now as Andrew suggests, share it with the world.

Today - D Day
 

Jet,

History was never a subject that I enjoyed particularly because it's difficult reading. Thanks for presenting it visually. It really brings it to life for me and so many others.

Great Escape veteran dies at 97

Associated Press
LONDON – A survivor of the Great Escape plot by Allied prisoners in a German prison in World War II has died. His family said Jack Harrison died Friday at age 97 at Erskine veterans' home in Bishopton, Scotland. Harrison was a Royal Air Force pilot who was shot down and captured on his first mission in 1942.

He was part of the plot to escape from Stalag Luft III in 1944, retold in the film "The Great Escape." However, he was not among the 76 who broke out. Harrison was 98th on the list to go, but guards detected the 77th escape. Of the 76 who escaped, only three got to safety. Fifty were executed on Adolf Hitler's orders, and 23 others were returned to custody.

bump...........

Other WWII stories
 

My maternal Aunt's husband was a member of the elite group of men who trained in secret in Colorado, developing skills to fight the enemy in snow, (skiing) they wore all white, I'm embarrassed to say that I cannot recall the name of this elite group of fighting men, if any of his records are recovered this year, (after litigation) i will share more of his and his comrades stories.

Perhaps Jet, you know of those i speak? There is a web site somewhere that describes their fighting techniques..... wish i had bookmarked it....