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Ernie Pyle Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-125-SC

Scope and Content

The collection consists of air mail correspondence and telegrams from Pyle's assignment in Okinawa and from an aircraft cruiser in the Pacific Ocean. The cruiser is not named, probably because the name and location would have been classified during the war. A letter from Scripps-Howard informs Dean G.B. Hammond of the UNM Graduate School that the newspaper agency had no more material to contribute to the collection other than the correspondence which was sent. Dr. Marie Pope Wallis donated several issues of the Far East Legionnaire, to the collection, which photographically illustrate annual pilgrimages to the Ernie Pyle Memorial in Okinawa from 1965 through 1967. Also included are issues from 1967 of the Ryukan Review and Pacific Stars and Stripes. as well as the program for the Community Memorial Service in memory of Ernie Pyle which was held at the University of New Mexico on May 13, 1945. Ernie Pyle and his wife had many friends in New Mexico. One of the tributes was given by Pyle's friend, W.A. Keleher. Erna Fergusson's name is listed on the planning committee. A variety of copies of newspaper clippings relating to the news of Ernie Pyle's death and tributes to his memory have been added over the years.

Dates

  • 1942-1970

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of print and photographic material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws.

Biographical Information

Born Ernest Taylor Pyle in Dana, Indiana on August 3, 1900, he is best known as Ernie Pyle, journalist. Pyle attended Indiana University and left shortly before attaining his bachelor's degree. He became a cub reporter, moved to the East Coast, and eventually convinced the Scripps-Howard Newspaper Alliance to give him his own column. Pyle and his wife spent a number of year traveling around the country writing personal interest stories for his column. He became a world-renowned war correspondent during World War II, covering the European, North African, and Pacific theatres. He and his wife, Jerry, settled in Albuquerque. His style of journalism was personal and colorful and he was much loved by the readers and soldiers. Pyle received an honorary doctoral degree from Indiana University and from the University of New Mexico in 1944, and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for journalism in 1944. While he was covering the Pacific theatre, he was killed by enemy fire on April 18, 1945 on the Ryukus Island of Iejima, Japan. His home in Albuquerque, located at 900 Girard SE, is a branch of the Albuquerque Public Library and also houses some of his memorabilia.

Extent

1 Folder

Related Materials

Ernie Pyle Papers, Special Collections Albuquerque Public Library Ross Calvin Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Erna Fergusson Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico Albuquerque and New Mexico Pamphlet Collection Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico
Title
Finding Aid of the Ernie Pyle Papers, 1942-1970
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by M. Fletcher
Date
©2000
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 125 SC::Ernie Pyle Papers)//EN" "nmu1mss125sc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451