Comments on: The God-Damned Infantry

By: Melinda Petruzziello

Melinda Petruzziello — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:52:24 +0000

I have read a few of Mr. Pyle’s writings just this day, and intend to read more. I learned about Ernie Pyle today by visiting another website, http://www.michaelyon-online.com/.

To Mr. James B. Casey, above: Michael Yon is following in Mr. Pyle’s footsteps, writing about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from his own first-hand perspective. If you enjoy Mr. Pyle, you should really give Mr. Yon a read as well.

By: Eugene F. Klausman 109th CIC Detachment (2nd Army) 51-53; Artillery Trained 5th Armored Division

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 03:22:03 +0000

In 1945 I was a 17 Year Old who had read Ernie’s Columns during all of WWII. Teen agers don’t cry but I was riding my Rollfast bicycle and had opened page 1 of the Long Island (NY) Daily Press to read of his death. I cried.

By: Rick Dawson

Rick Dawson — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:58:43 +0000

I grew up listening to my dad’s WWII stories and seeing Ernie Pyle’s book, “Brave Men” on his bookshelf. When my dad died in 1994, I inherited the book. It sat on my shelf until 2008, when I took it down out of boredom one day. By the end of the first chapter, I was transfixed. What an amazing man, and what an amazing story he told of the common men like my dad who fought a war a world away from their own, with hardly a complaint (other than about food and cigarettes). At 55 and with a son who is a combat veteran, I plan on reading everything Mr. Pyle ever wrote. Thanks to my Alma Mater for keeping Ernie Pyle’s memory alive and vibrant.

By: Patrick Manalio ex-member 324th U.S. Army Band,SP/4

Patrick Manalio ex-member 324th U.S. Army Band,SP/4 — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:14:05 +0000

Reading Ernie Pyle’s dispatches makes me think that being embedded or immersed happenes both ways. They become embedded or immersed in you.

Patrick Manalio

By: Justin R. Grieve Afghanistan & Iraq Veteran

Justin R. Grieve Afghanistan & Iraq Veteran — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:24:59 +0000

If only the current media had the class and candor that Mr. Pyle did. God bless the Infantry.

By: SFC Rew E. Williams (Ret)

SFC Rew E. Williams (Ret) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 16:41:51 +0000

I grew up reading old articles by and about Mr.Pyle. 5 Days after I graduated form hi-school (1974) and 17 years old I joined the Army and I demanded to go into the “God-damned Infantry”. Twenty years later I retired. The day I turned blue, all 145 lbs of me, was one of the proudest in my life. I still enjoy reading what he wrote and about his life. Thanks for this site.

Rew E. Williams

By: James B. Casey

James B. Casey — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 10:47:34 +0000

Seeing Mr. Pyle in repose made me think of my regiment, the Eighteenth Infantry, about which he wrote “the God -Damned Infantry.

The piece was hanging along with the regimental crest throughout the Berlin Bigade. The kind of sacrifices our infantry is called upon to make, should only be undertaken if war is declared. We ignore the Constitution at our peril. End the Iraq war of acquiesence.

By: Cesar Cordova

Cesar Cordova — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:11:37 +0000

I am 16 years old, and when I was still in middle school I gained an interest in World War 2. I thought of how glorious it would be if I were there to witness the action, but after reading more and finally reading Ernie Pyle’s columns I had a better idea what war is. His writings showed the true face of war, how the common soldier dealt with it, and he showed what death was in that war. I think Ernie Pyle was a greater man then most.