Ernie Pyle's Death Photo Surfaces: Some Of His Best Columns Are Here

CINCINNATI (TBD) -- No American war correspondent has ever been as celebrated -- or admired for his work and guts as he doggedly crisscrossed the battlefields of World War II -- like journalist Ernie Pyle. He covered the fox holes and front lines and perished in the Pacific while reporting on combat against the Japanese. A photo of his death 63 years ago has now surfaced and is attracting worldwide attention today. Pyle worked for the Scripps Howard newspaper chain, which is still based in Cincinnati, although it no longer publishes any papers in its home state. Indiana University has a collection of Pyle's wartime columns available online that can be accessed by clicking here. A machine gun slug caught Pyle in the temple.

Some consider Pyle's best piece a story from Jan. 10, 1944 when he was at the front in Italy with U.S. soldiers battling the Germans. He wrote about the death of Capt. Henry T. Waskow, who was beloved by his men. Said Miami University Journalism Prof. James E. Tobin, who was quoted in The Associated Press story about Pyle's photo:

"It's a striking and painful image, but Ernie Pyle wanted people to see and understand the sacrifices that soldiers had to make, so it's fitting, in a way, that this photo of his own death . . . drives home the reality and finaility of that sacrifice."

Oho Media Giant Scripps: Stop The Presses!!! News Biz Being Spun Off

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- An Ohio media giant that built a publishing and broadcasting realm by starting with newspapers, and then local TV outlets like Channel 5 in Cleveland, plans to divide itself into two separate entities. The split sets the old media properties on an independent road during an uncertain time. Cincinnati-based E.W. Scripps Co. made the announcement this morning. It means the company's leadership sees more upside growth potential in the $1.4 billion Scripps Networks, which include HGTV, Food Network and Internet-businesses like Shopzilla.

Scripps owns newspapers across the nation, including Denver and Cincinnati, where the afternoon Cincinnati Post has been in decline and is set to close forever in December. Meanwhile, Scripps has been building a new headquarters for its Scripps Neworks Interactive operations in Knoxville, Tenn., where HGTV and the other shows are produced. Scripps CEO Kenneth W. Lowe said the split makes good sense for shareholders by sharpening business focus on the new media, which is growing and extremely profitable.

"This is an important and logical next step for our shareholders, employees and all other stakeholders who have a direct interest in the success of our media business, It is our intention to create two publicly traded companies, each with a sharpened strategic focus that would foster continued growth, solid operating performance and a clear vision on how best to build on the specific strengths of our national and local media franchises.

"The new company that would be created by the transaction -- Scripps Networks Interactive -- would be anchored by two of America's most-watched and most successful table television networks -- HGTV and Food Network -- and would benefit from the rapidly growing popularity of its newer lifestyle brands, DIY Network, Fine Living, and Great American Country."

Bottomline: Scripps was the media company whose most beloved and noted journalist was Ernie Pyle, the columnist who covered World War II and became the voice of the common man. He was killed in the Pacific while on assignment with the troops. The new Scripps is built around figures like Emeril, the chef. Good-bye, Ernie. Bam!!!