DANA, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – An effort is underway in Washington to name a local post office after decorated war correspondent Ernest “Ernie” T. Pyle.
The effort is being spearheaded by Indiana senators Todd Young and Mike Braun and Rep. Larry Bucshon.
Below is a news release announcing the legislation that would rename the post office in Dana, Ind.:
U.S. Senators Todd Young
(R-Ind.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) today announced they introduced legislation to
rename the post office in Dana, Indiana, after Ernest ‘Ernie’ T. Pyle, the
celebrated war correspondent and Hoosier journalist who was born near Dana. On
April 18, 1945, Pyle was reporting on the U.S. Army’s 305th Infantry Regiment
when he was killed.
“Naming the Dana post office
after Ernie Pyle is one way to honor the important contributions of this
celebrated war correspondent who made a lasting impact on American journalism,”
said Senator Young
. “I’m proud to join with my Indiana colleagues to pay
tribute to this Hoosier hero.”
“Ernie Pyle is an American
hero who gave his life in World War II and it’s only fitting to name the post
office in Dana, Indiana after him,”
said Senator Braun
.
After studying journalism at
Indiana University, Ernie Pyle served as a beloved correspondent in Indiana and
later overseas during World War II. Beginning his career at La Porte’s The
Daily Herald, Mr. Pyle would go on to receive the Pulitzer Prize for his
distinguished reporting of WWII in 1944. During his tenure as a war
correspondent, he worked alongside our soldiers in the field to produce work
that properly commemorated a soldier’s courage and sacrifice. He was awarded
the Medal for Merit and the Purple Heart posthumously.
Congressman Larry Bucshon,
M.D. (IN-08) led the introduction of
similar
legislation
in the U.S. House of Representatives. Senator Young previously
introduced a
resolution
designating National Ernie Pyle Day.
Click
here
to view the bill text.
