Comments on: A Dreadful Masterpiece

By: Mike Meier Communications Officer, USN 1954-57

Mike Meier Communications Officer, USN 1954-57 — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:29:44 +0000

I was 10 years old when Pearl Harbor was attacked. We took all three Washington, DC papers and read them all cover-to-cover. I read every one of Pyle’s columns to the time of his death. The whole fmaily wept at that news. We also listened to Edward R. Murrow’s “London Calling” broadcasts every evening. These two delivered the war to the home front.

Pyle roamed the US in the 1930’s, producing vignettes of individuals living through the Depression. He worked for the Sripss-Howard Newspaper Alliance. I was too young to be aware of them at the time, but I have recently acquired a copy of “Ernie’s America”, a 1989 collection of many of his columns from that period, edited by David Nichols, who also compiled “Ernie’s War” in 1986. Go get them!

May I suggest you look up Michael Yon’s website and his reporting from Iraq and Afghanistan. HE IS A MOST WORTHY SUCCESSOR TO ERNIE.

By: Betty Greer

Betty Greer — Tue, 05 May 2009 21:17:11 +0000

I am the widow of a B-24 Bombadier stationed in Hethel, England who flew missions over Germany. I was a young thing living in San Francisco working for the WPB when I discovered one of the local papers carried a column written by Ernie Pyle and became hooked on them. I collected all of them and when “Brave Men” was published I encouraged my husband to buy it and discovered those were the book. We visited his grave in Hawaii and his home in Albuqueque and at almost 90 years am still thrilled by his story telling ability. I’ve read everything he’s written.

By: Lame

Lame — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:04:00 +0000

i should say Ernie Pyle is one of the greatest journalists of all time and his articles have somewhat of a raw truth about them,I’m only 15 tears old and was not therein world war 2 but Ernie’s work gives me a clear view of what it was like

By: this website, and to the people who visit

this website, and to the people who visit — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:53:04 +0000

This is one of the most beloved stories written by Ernie Pyle and one that many people would adore, This piece is more than just information of the battle of Great Britain it gives you the feeling your there, you can almost see the bombs dropping, you can almost see the horizon. It facinates me the way he does all this. If he hadn’t gotten shot that one day then i know that he would have one an award for his writing and he’d be one of the most known World War II survivors.

- iwe

By: David Weber

David Weber — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 17:26:49 +0000

I graduated high school in 1970. In junior high one year, I was assigned to the library for study hall period. There I found happened to find “Here Is Your War” and “Brave Men” on the shelves. I had heard the name Ernie Pyle here or there but had actually read none of his writings. I digested the books over a period of a couple of weeks. Compelling material, and an uncomfortable counterpoint to the romantic Hollywood and Sat. afternoon t.v. view I had at the time of war, WWII in particular. I still recall a bitter sentence from Pyle’s commentary about the Normandy invasion: Pyle, writing that his friend remembered how most of the soldiers in his assault boat were seasick, soaking wet and scared witless as they approached the D-Day beach, added, “War is romantic–if you’re a long way away from it.”

By: Patrick Black US Army Scout 1990-1998

Patrick Black US Army Scout 1990-1998 — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:37:03 +0000

I have only just learned of Ernie Pyle and have recently read several of his wartime columns. And I have a Big Question. Why didn’t I learn about this great man when I was in college studying, of all things, JOURNALISM? I appreciate these writings like no other and Mr. Pyle has done the world a wonderful service in reporting the truth of war and the little guys story.

God Bless You Mr. Pyle

and I’m sure he is.

Sincerely.

By: Chaplain Captain Jeffrey Clemens (Active U.S. Army Chaplain Corps)

Chaplain Captain Jeffrey Clemens (Active U.S. Army Chaplain Corps) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:59:58 +0000

Ernie Pyle was the greatest correspondent to ever write about the American Soldier in World War II. His column touched millions of lives through its sincereity and humility. Simple, but powerful words spoke of distant battles and the men who fought them. This “device” as he called it was a much needed letter home from the front to the average American. His contribution to the war effort is still deserving of our interest and appreciation. The man who coined the term “G. I. Joe” still remains the Soldiers greatest friend in war and peace. Only in understanding just how horrible war is, will mankind stand a chance at building a hoped for peace. Such brave men should never be forgotten, nor the man that shared their story. Ernie’s books can still be fetched on E- Bay. Remember him.

By: Len Hart

Len Hart — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:59:38 +0000

Pyle’s description of London is the most poignant since William Wordsworth wrote: “Earth has not anything to show more fair, dull would he be of soul who could pass by a site so touching in its majesty…” The soul of a great city in serene peace –and in war. And as Churchill said: “London can take it!”

By: Imdad Soomro, Journalist & Writer, Sindh- Pakistan

Imdad Soomro, Journalist & Writer, Sindh- Pakistan — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:59:20 +0000

As I have gone through his piece it sounded me as I was there – in the city of London- during 2nd WW. I am a man of this century. Hardly am 31. But I can imagine the fire and blood when life was at stake. War of mighty forces, but at what cost? And, admittedly, Pyle sounds like Robert Fisk of today.

By: Matt Sarad

Matt Sarad — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:58:57 +0000

I discovered Ernie’s wrting when I was 14. Looking through my parents’ books, I came across Home Country, his prewar writing. My freshman year of college found me in the bookstore, where Brave Men was required reading in a Journalism class. Over the next ten years I read all of Pyle’s books. I eventually met the son of the contractor who built the Pyle’s Albuquerque house, his lifetime friends Paige and Edna Cavanaugh, tried on Ernie’s tux, and wandered through Dana one summer with Evelyn Hobson, curator of the pyle museum.

History came alive for me in a way it never had or has since. Ernie was my friend as much as any soldier. I can quote him verbatim from many columns, have referred to him in college papers, read books in his home/library in Albuquerque, shared a steak and bottle of wine with his best friend,and I am gratified to have read his personal letters back home.

I miss him, and he died ten years before I was born.