Ernie's War Reflection

Ernie Pyle's war correspondence from World War II paints a clear picture of the American soldiers' experiences during the war. His description of the storming of Omaha Beach reminded me of the intense battle scene in "Saving Private Ryan." The way in which Pyle talks about the destruction and dead bodies on the beach allows the reader to empathize with the soldiers in Europe, and it is kind of amazing that he was able to capture with written words the same scene that "Saving Private Ryan" was able to via visual images. I think it was his writing style and the details he chose to include that made him such an incredibly effective wartime correspondent.

Additionally, the way in which he was able to convey the humanity of the soldiers and their devotion to the ideals of America allows his readers to understand why Tom Brokaw would call this group of people the "Greatest Generation." This generation had to deal with growing up during the Great Depression, and I think it shows in their steadfast belief that they were fighting the "Good War." Although a lot has happened in America since then, I believe that dealing with the hard times of the Great Depression shaped that generation into one united in their support for America.