So I didn't really ever know Mr. Pyle until today, but he seems like he is a cool dude. Apparently during WWII he was a type of pre-Geraldo on the scene reporter. He was like the first guy to say, we know what's kind of going on with our boys in the Pacific... but I want to go there and really be a part of it... so he did.
He was, from what I gathered, the first war-time journalist to actually travel to the "hot zone." He came to the island to report for the US and unfortunately no more than 2 weeks into his stay on Iejima, he was hit by a stray sniper bullet and fell to his death amongst the marines stationed there at the time.
In present day, he has a memorial located on the exact spot in which he fell that is kept up nicely by the locals. He had a large field in which is dedicated in his honor, and every year on the weekend closest to the anniversary, numerous military members from various branches, along with locals, boyscouts, and some of Ernie's comrads come out to celebrate his life cut short. His death was on April 14th and there were still flowers on his memorial from last weekend's ceremony.
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