Death Photo of War Reporter Pyle Found

Breibart ^ | Feb 3, 2008 | By RICHARD PYLE

[Islander7]

NEW YORK (AP) - The figure in the photograph is clad in Army fatigues, boots and helmet, lying on his back in peaceful repose, folded hands holding a military cap. Except for a thin trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth, he could be asleep.

But he is not asleep; he is dead. And this is not just another fallen GI; it is Ernie Pyle, the most celebrated war correspondent of World War II.

As far as can be determined, the photograph has never been published. Sixty-three years after Pyle was killed by the Japanese, it has surfaced—surprising historians, reminding a forgetful world of a humble correspondent who artfully and ardently told the story of a war from the foxholes.

[ozzymandus]

Remember dan rather standing by those pool cabanas pretending they were missile silos? Bernie shaw hiding under the bed? Geraldo drawing military plans for the camera? That a-hole at the “baby milk” factory? I could go on, but you get it.

[Publius6961]

BUMP!

[puppypusher]

It’s sad to see that photograph.Its also sad that it reminds me that Ernie Pyle was a News Reporter from a Bygone era,Pro-American and not afraid to tell the truth as he saw it.

There will Never be another like Him.

[sinanju]

“Good taste?” It should have been published. A heroic portrait comparable to Ferdinand Pettrich’s “The Dying Tecumseh” or Edouard Manet’s “The Dead Toreador.” I don’t think anyone could ask for a more dignified exit.

[mass55th]

"What flashed quickly in my mind were those ‘heroes’ reporting the SCUD missile attacks from their luxury hotel balconies, complaining the AC was off or some other creature comfort denied them."

Reminds me of Bernard Shaw reporting from under his bed in a Baghdad hotel during the first Gulf War.

[chasio649]

bump

[raybbr]

“Ernie Pyle” was the name of the ship my father and his mothers sailed on when they were repatriated from Poland after the second World War.

[manic4organic]

Michael Yon.

[yarddog]

I didn't know that much about him. I read "Brave Men" back in the 60's when I was in high school. The book was in our high school library.

He was a really good writer.

[Cacique]

ping

[Captain Jack Aubrey]

This story is written by Richard Pyle. AP issued a notice:

“EDITOR’S NOTE: Richard Pyle, who has covered six wars for The Associated Press, is no relation to Ernie Pyle. AP researcher Rhonda Shafner contributed to this story.”

[Kirkwood]

I have no doubt that there are some young people going into journalism who would like to be like Ernie, but these people never make it because of the liberals who have a stranglehold on the journalism schools and media.

I recall some controversy when I was at IU where faculty at the Ernie Pyle School of Journalism were debating on whether to change the name of the school because of their hatred of Ernie’s patriotism.

[Jeff Chandler]

>>Michael Yon.<<

Yep.

[Tall_Texan]

I guess the good taste that prevented the photo from being published is no longer the standard .

I think the photo has lapsed into history and is not sensationalistic (nor is it particularly gruesome). We've had 60 years to adjust to the fact that he's dead. It's no longer shocking. OTOH, someone who wanted to post a photo of a deceased Heath Ledger, I would think it to be tasteless and exploitive simply because his passing was so recent and a death photo would seem shocking.

My goodness, with all the death and gore we are exposed to nowadays in the form of *entertainment*, an historical photo like this should not offend anyone.

[Fiddlstix]

R.I.P
Bump

[Steamburg]

Not in the same paragraph. To compare a patriot journalist to the likes of what is permitted to publish today is an obscenity.

[ErnBatavia]

Remember dan rather standing by those pool cabanas pretending they were missile silos? Bernie shaw hiding under the bed? Geraldo drawing military plans for the camera?

Don't forget Chris Wallace (ABC at the time) being a virtual artillery spotter for Saddam's scuds from his rooftop in Jerusalem.

[Scarpetta]

His repose in death looks almost staged. As if the snapshot taker knew this photo would forever immortalize Pyle as a person beyond reproach. At least that’s how he looks to me.

[bmwcyle]

Hand Salute....................two

[af_vet_rr]

I guess the good taste that prevented the photo from being published is no longer the standard .

It's only recently come to light - there were just a handful of prints made from the original negative, and they were being donated to various museums/organizations in the past few years (which may seem weird or coincidental at first, but given that the owners had either died or were getting uncomfortable close to their 90s, it's understandable that they want to take care of things of historical or personal importance).

Personally, from what I've read of Pyle's writings, Ernie probably would have approved. History and accuracy was very important to him. Heck, he'd probably get a kick out of the fact that 60+ years later, people still know who he was, and were still interested in his life and death.