Comments on: The Death of Captain Waskow

By: Ralph Oliva (Son of a WWII Vet)

Ralph Oliva (Son of a WWII Vet) — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:43:36 +0000

My Dad told stories of the war — only long after he was retired…A few days ago my son came to me working on a school project and we brought out — lovingly – my Dad’s uniform, some letters and other things we have saved — including some stuff from Ernie Pyle. Dad mentioned to me that Ernie was the one who captured the moments of that expereince with the greatest truth and meaning. Dad somehow got throught the war –with scars, but also with a seasoned strength he carried through his life.

God, how I miss him.

By: Zach Ruble (civilian)

Zach Ruble (civilian) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 04:14:58 +0000

I’ve never served but do appreciate the service that the men and women of our country have performed, both yesterday and tomorrow. I’ve only learned of Ernie Pyle tonight after watching “The Story of G.I. Joe” (1945) and find this site very interesting and useful. In learning a little more about the man and the lives that he touched. Thanks for sharing.

By: Polly Burtch (daughter of a WWII Navy pilot who flew 208 missions in the Pacific Theater

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:13:22 +0000

I am a journalist, a professor and the daughter of a Navy pilot. Dad is still living. It’s hard to shoot down a Navy man. I read Ernie Pyle’s Waskow column to my Introduction to Mass Communications students every term. In one column, Mr. Pyle sums up the golden age of newspapers, the horror of war and the bravery of soldiers. I have my students close their eyes and pretend the newspaper is their only link to what’s going on overseas. I ask them to imagine they have a father or a brother or a friend in Italy.

Now I will turn off the lights and let Professor Johnson read to us. I salute all soldiers, present and past. And, I salute great American newspapers. They, too, are at war and I’m afraid I’m not going to like the outcome.

By: Tom Williams (Vietnam)

Tom Williams (Vietnam) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:32:23 +0000

I first read Brave Men in about 1955. Although I was then only a teenager, I cried when I read about the “beloved Captain”. Ernie Pyle impressed me beyond my own comprehension then. In the military on active duty I worked with journalists and military writers trying to tell the meaning of war. Neither they nor I ever succeeded. There is no meaning. In 2004 I visited Ernie Pyle’s grave on Oahu in the Punch Bowl. I cannot explain or relate the emotion that I felt then. There has never been another Ernie Pyle.

By: Paul Robbins (civilian)

Paul Robbins (civilian) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 03:02:52 +0000

I have never been in uniform serving our Great Country nor am I a religious person. However, I do want to ask God to Bless every American Soldier,and all soldiers worldwide who fight for the cause of freedom. To our soldiers now and before, thank you for serving our Country and helping to preserve my freedom.

By: Jim Priddy (Korea '53)

Jim Priddy (Korea '53) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:53:12 +0000

All the conflicts since WWII have needed an Ernie Pyle to tell the plain, unvarnished stories of our troops. Not the battle stuff. We get inundated with that. Just the day-to-day yarns of how they survive the boredom, elements and comradeship. I read my first newspaper in ‘43, Ernie’s column. My daughter, a Berkeley English grad, believes that, along with Mark Twain, Ernie Pyle has set a high, high standard for American writers to emulate.

By: Andy Karabinos, Korea

Andy Karabinos, Korea — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:25:35 +0000

I first read this when I was 14 years old. I still cry when I do

By: Glenn Killough

Glenn Killough — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:35:01 +0000

My dad, Odis Killough joined the 36th Div. in 1940 out of Hubbard Texas. He served under Captain Waskow and was one of the group that recovered his body. He recently died and just hours before his death was recalling stories of Captain Waskow. He often spoke of Ernie Pyle and how respected he was by the men he wrote of. Are there journalists today that can tell the story of battle as Pyle did?

By: Sandy Norris (daughter of Iwo Jima Vet)

Sandy Norris (daughter of Iwo Jima Vet) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:30:40 +0000

Read this several years ago, cried then and cried today. Even though my father fought in the Pacific, he mourned each and every death in his unit. He said to the day of his own death, that the real heroes were left on those islands. Bless you for allowing us to read Mr. Pyle’s words again and reflect on today’s military dead.

By: Bennett J.Palmer (Honorable discharge 10/15/45)

Bennett J.Palmer (Honorable discharge 10/15/45) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:34:15 +0000

Bennett J. Palmer was a replacment to the 143 Reg. Co. B 1st platoon 30 days after the invasion of Salerno.Captain Waskow was my very first Captain that I would know as I was one of the many replacments assainged to Co. B. The date was 10/5/43. We are introduced to Captain Waskow shortly after we arrive. We are a very freightened group of G.I. replacments. Only knowing that G.I. replacments have little chance to more than to salute and obey orders.Our first combat comes in the november of 1943. We are on line in the San Pietro area, having a very bad time of it. On the 12/1o/43 I have a peice of schrapnel go through my right wrist. After I return to the Company I am told, that Captain Waskow had been K.I.A.on the 12/15/43. Three years ago at our 36Th. reunion I presented Captains Waskows sister with my own personal history of over 5 campaigns in the 143 Reg.Co. B first platoon. I am the author and self published book {The Hunter and The Hunted} This is my personal combat history of my platoon. From Pvt. to Platoon Sgt to the wars end in Landsberg,Bad Tolz area in S.Austria. I have presented my book to many museums across this great nation.I will mail one to the Ernie Pile museum. I have written about the little time that I had known Captain Waskow in my book.

Bennett J. Palmer

10140 Warner Gulf Rd.

Holland N.Y.14080-9638 Ph.716-537-9148

E mail Pollyben1@aol.com