Being a ‘war correspondent’ has never been a safe role, especially in civil and guerrilla wars. Even in established wars, guns, artillery and such don’t check names. Last 18 April was the 76th anniversary of Ernie Pyle’s death, arguably the most famous and loved American WW2 war reporter. Always more interested in the individual soldier, he was in the mud in Europe and the Pacific where, in the battle for Okinawa, he was killed on Iejima (aka ‘Ie Shima’).
Ernie got hit in his left temple right under his helmet. Death was instant.