The Soldier's TruthBy: David Chrisinger A beautiful reckoning with the life and work of the legendary journalist Ernie Pyle, who gave World War II a human face for millions of Americans even as he wrestled with his own demons At the height of his fame and influence during World War II, Ernie Pyles nationally syndicated dispatches from combat zones shaped Americas understanding of what the war felt like to ordinary soldiers, as no writers work had before or has since.