7 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ERNIE PYLE
7 Things To Know About Ernie Pyle – During World War II, many played the role of hero. They stepped up and lifted up the country in ways that they needed most. Some took up the tools necessary to build planes and tanks. Others donned uniforms and headed to the front lines. One of those heroes was Ernie Pyle. He took up the pen and headed in the direction of the warriors. As a war correspondent, he reported back to the families back home. Like many of the servicemen and women, Ernie Pyle never made it back home. Here are 7 other things you might not know about Ernie Pyle.
1. Farm Boy
Ernest Tylor Pyle was born on a farmhouse in Dana, Indiana on August 3, 1900, to William and Maria Pyle.
2. Attended College
He attended Indiana University studying journalism but left after three years. He continued his education by working for various newspapers and journals throughout the country. Eventually, he launched a syndicated column that was read in over 200 newspapers.
3. Ernie Ply was well-traveled.
By the age of 40, he had been to every country in the western hemisphere except two. Before his death, he would extend his travels to the eastern hemisphere, too.
3. Marriage
In 1925, Ernie Pyle married Geraldine “Jerry” Siebolds. She became gravely ill in 1940 and Pyle took a year off to help care for her. However, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, Pyle resumed his column.
4. Army Physical
When Ernie took his Army physical at Fort Myer, he was one pound under the minimum weight, but the examiners waved the weight requirement. He was allowed to tour England as a war correspondent for six months before enlisting. Ernie landed in Ireland on June 19, 1942, to begin his 6-month tour. He never enlisted; his skill as a war correspondent was a more effective role.
“There’s nothing romantic whatever in knowing that an hour from now you may be dead.” Ernie Pyle
5. Divorce
Jerry and Ernie eventually divorced. However, Pyle continued to correspond throughout the war.
6. Book and Movie
Upon his return to the U.S., he was swamped with correspondence from admirers. He published a book of his columns (Here is Your War and Brave Men) and a movie was made about him called “GI Joe.”
7. His Death
When Ernie Pyle returned to the war in 1945, just days after writing letters promising he was covering no more invasion landings, Ernie Pyle was killed covering the 305th Regiment movements on the island of Ie Shima.
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