[History Hounds] The Soldier’s Friend: WWII Correspondent Ernie Pyle with Steve Key, Friends of Ernie Pyle

Ernie Pyle was so beloved by members of the Armed Services and their families back home that, when he died from Japanese machine gun fire on the island Ie Shima, it was President Harry Truman who announced his death. Ernie gave a "worm’s eye” view of the global conflict, so that Americans could know what husbands, sons, and siblings were enduring during the war. He advocated that frontline troops be given “fight pay,” and Congress listened, passing the “Ernie Pyle Bill.” This legislation established combat pay, which servicemembers have received since World War II.

We'd like to thank the Historical Society of Michigan (HSM), which supports local history organizations, like us! They are continuing to make their History Hounds Lecture Series available online for free to members of HSM’s member organizations. Register for this remote presentation by 3:00pm the previous day. Click here to register. Select “A member of an Organizational Member of HSM” to enjoy this presentation at no charge.