Ernie Pyle

The Veterans History Project

The Veterans History Project is a project of the Library of Congress aimed at collecting oral history interviews, memoirs, letters, diaries, photographs, and other original materials from veterans of World Wars I and II, and the Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf Wars and the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts (2001-present). Those U.S. citizen civilians who were actively involved in supporting war efforts (such as war industry workers, USO workers, flight instructors, medical volunteers, etc.) are also encouraged to contribute their personal narratives. Members of the public become part of the Veterans History Project after they donate their materials.

The National WWII Memorial registry is "an individual listing of Americans who contributed to the war effort" comprised of the names of those who sign up for the Registry of Remembrances as well as other official lists compiled by the American Battle Monuments Commission and War and Navy Department Killed in Service rosters. Donation of collection materials like interviews and/or memoirs is not a requirement for inclusion in the National World War II Memorial's registry.

When you see a presentation of "Hi, I'm Ernie Pyle" you will also learn more about the Veterans History Project and learn how you can become involved in this effort to preserve the memories and stories of our veterans. You can also learn more about the VHP by visiting the project web site at: www.loc.gov/vets/.

Ernie Pyle

Born:

August 3, 1900:

Dana, Indiana

Scripps Howard Correspondent

1923-1945

Pulitzer Prize

1943

Died

April 18, 1945:

Le Shima, Japan

"Hi, I'm Ernie Pyle"

Play Synopsis

One or Two-Act Presentations

On April 17, 1945 war correspondent Ernie Pyle was on the ship Panamint off the coast of the island of Ie Shima. Just the day before American forces landed on the island and took it over from the Japanese with little resistance.

In a few short hours, Ernie is going to leave the ship and spend a night on shore, and then tour the island with the 77th Division to gather information for stories he plans to write.

He is just finishing up a story about "some boys that I come to know" when the audience first sees him. He tells the people not to go. He has some time before he is going to shore and wants to tell them about his involvement in the war from the time he first set foot in England to cover the blitz to the present.

After talking to the audience, he leaves the ship to meet up with the 77th. Shot the next day, April 18, 1945, Ernie Pyle never made it back to the ship.

"When you're wandering around our very far-flung front lines--the lines that in our present rapids ward are know as "fluid"--you can always tell how recently the battle has swept on ahead of you.

You can sense it from the little things even more than the big thing....."

France 1944

"Hi, I'm Ernie Pyle" is performed as either a one-act or two-act play. The one-act play lasts about an hour, while the two-act play lasts about one hour and forty-five minutes.

The show can be performed in almost any setting such as a high school classroom or theater stage. A discussion about Ernie Pyle and his role as a correspondent is held after each performance. Veterans are also invited to share their memories of their service to our country.

Learn how Morrison Theater Group can help your organization raise money; contact:

Gary W. Morrison

Born:

April 18, 1945

Portland, Maine

Freelance Reporter

and Photographer:

July 1996-Present

Education:

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

BA: Journalism 1996

MS: Communications 1998