I read the Feb. 4 story on Ernie Pyle with great interest and couldn’t help thinking how much we needed him in our present “war.”

I was a 26-year-old radio news rewriter for United Press in Manhattan in 1946. I was assigned to research information from Ernie’s co-workers at U.P. and write his obituary. I interviewed the treasurer, bureau chief, teletypists and, although I knew how beloved Ernie was by America, I was surprised to find shaky voices and tearful eyes in some of the men I questioned. Newsmen are such tough cookies on the exterior.

My job as a rewriter was to take the news side bulletins and write script for radio broadcasts. Therefore, it was unusual for me to “create” a story. No byline though.

Ernie was very special. I’m glad you ran the story.

Priscilla Adams Smith

Rockland