Pyle, Ernie (Ernest Taylor Pyle), 1900-45, American journalist,

b. Dana, Ind. After working (1923-32) as a reporter, an editor, and an aviation writer, he became managing editor of the Washington Daily News. In 1935 he began writing a column syndicated by the Scripps-Howard chain to about 200 newspapers. Pyle captured America's affection by writing about the lives and hopes of typical citizens. During World War II he served as a war correspondent in Europe, N Africa, and the Pacific. He became the most popular of all correspondents, writing about the experiences of enlisted men rather than about battles or the exploits of officers. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished correspondence in 1944, and the next year he was killed by Japanese machine gun fire on Ie Shima. His columns were reprinted in Ernie Pyle in England (1941), Here Is Your War (1943), Brave Men (1944), Last Chapter (published posthumously, 1946), and Home Country (prewar writing published posthumously, 1947).

Pyle, Ernie,

byname of ERNEST TAYLOR PYLE (b. Aug. 3, 1900, near Dana, Ind., U.S.--d. April 18, 1945, Ie Shima, Ryukyu Islands), American journalist who was one of the most famous war correspondents of World War II.

Pyle studied journalism at Indiana University and left school to become a reporter for a small-town newspaper. Later, after various editorial jobs, he acquired a roving assignment for the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain; his daily experiences furnished him material for a column that eventually appeared in as many as 200 newspapers before World War II. His coverage of the campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and France brought him a Pulitzer Prize for reporting in 1944, as well as several other awards. The motion picture G.I. Joe (1945) was about Pyle's coverage of the Italian campaign. He was with the U.S. forces in the Pacific on Iwo Jima, and during the Okinawa campaign he visited the nearby island of Ie Shima, where he was killed by Japanese machine-gun fire.

Compilations of his war columns appeared in book form: Ernie Pyle in England (1941), Here Is Your War (1943), Brave Men (1944), and Last Chapter (1946); a posthumous anthology is David Nichols (ed.), Ernie's War: The Best of Ernie Pyle's World War II Dispatches (1986).

As you entered this area, you noticed this small table, set for two. The items on the table symbolize our thoughts regarding our comrades who are still missing. Some of the wars began when many of us were still fledglings on this earth. However, all Americans should never forget the brave men and women who are still unaccounted for. This table is smaller than others symbolizing the frailty of the prisoners, alone, against the oppressors. The placement of this table is to show our everlasting concern for them. The table cloth is white symbolizing the purity of their motives and commitment to free oppressed people. The red ribbon tied so prominently on the vase is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn on the lapel and the breast of thousands who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing. A slice of lemon is on the bread plate to remind us of their bitter fate. There is salt upon the bread plate, symbolic of the family tears, as they wait. The Bible on the table represents faith in a Higher Power and a pledge to our Country; founded as one Nation Under God. The glasses are inverted they cannot toast with you. The chairs are empty they are missing.

Your reading of this today, demonstrates that you care about American heroes and their families. We want you to reaffirm your resolve to do all that is possible to determine the true fate of those who did not return. Our prayers and thoughts go with you always. Thank you for standing with us to achieve this goal.