The museum will open for the 2026 season on Thursday, March 19 with special programming March 19-22.
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2026 Ernie Pyle Firemen’s Festival Pageant Queen, Princess applications due June 11
Young ladies currently in grades 6-12: Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in the Ernie Pyle Firemen’s Festival Pageant. There are friends to be made, fun to be had, skills to learn and fine tune, and so much more!
The young ladies crowned Queen and Princess will have the opportunity to represent the festival at the Indiana State Festivals Association Queen & Princess Pageants in November. The local pageant is co-sponsored in 2026 by the Ernie Pyle WWII Museum and Helt Fire & Rescue.
Deadline to apply is June 11, 2026. Application can be found by clicking this link or following the QR code below.
Ernie Pyle & Veterans Memorial Park Trivia Night fundraiser — Saturday, Feb. 28 at Carter’s Nest
Join us for Trivia Night 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28 at Carter’s Nest Bar & Grill, 148 N. Maple, Dana, Indiana. It’s $25/person or $150/team of six. Proceeds benefit the Ernie Pyle & Veterans Memorial Park.
We’ll be debuting Ernie’s favorite drink!
Register here. Pre-registration is suggested to guarantee a table or seat.
Questions? Contact Doug Hess, 812-243-4907.
Sponsored by Friends of Ernie Pyle WWII Museum. Proceeds to the Ernie Pyle & Veterans Memorial Park. Special thanks to Mark and Jodie Carter for hosting!
Ernie Pyle statue dedicated on Veterans Day
Read a Q&A with artist Bill Wolfe here.
Photos by Andy Chandler.
Tuesday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day 2025 — was a momentous day in Dana as more than 100 people gathered on the grounds of the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum to celebrate the unveiling and dedication of the Ernie Pyle sculpture.
With cameras all around taking video and photographs, local sculptor Bill Wolfe and his grandchildren pulled the golden veil away from the bronze statue, revealing to the public for the first time Wolfe’s creation that had been three years in the making.
The sculpture captures Pyle, a Dana native, in military fatigues and boots seated on sandbags with his typewriter nearby.
The Pyle sculpture is the center piece of the Ernie Pyle & Veterans Memorial Park project located just north of the current museum structures. It marks the project’s first phase, which also includes landscaping bricks around the sculpture and a building that will contain accessible restrooms.
Following the unveiling, those attending milled around the site, taking and posing for photographs with the sculpture.
The event was sponsored and hosted by The Friends of Ernie Pyle nonprofit organization, owner and operator of the museum.
Prior to the sculpture unveiling at the park, attendees gathered in the Helt Township Fire House to begin the ceremony and dedication, as well as a salute to America’s veterans. Because of frigid temperatures hovering in the 30s, the early portion of the program was moved inside. Following an invocation and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, veterans in the audience were recognized and a group was presented with Quilts of Honor by the Old Glory Quilters of Parke County.
Friends of Ernie Pyle President Steve Key was emcee for the program.
Helt Township Trustee Kevin Wickens, who is an ex-officio member of the Friends board, reviewed the scope and status of the park project for the audience. Phil Hess, a longtime supporter of the museum and a former Friends board member, spoke about the impact World War II had on the Homefront and read a famous Pyle column titled “Damn Infantry,” a tribute to the trials and tribulations of the foot soldiers whose efforts were key to the war’s ultimate success.
Sculptor Bill Wolfe addressed the enthusiastic audience and talked about his decades-long dream of creating a Pyle sculpture. He said he was proud and satisfied with the finished product. More importantly, he said, “I think Ernie would approve.”
A representative of Indiana’s U.S. Sen. Todd Young and a representative of Gov. Mike Braun spoke briefly, as did state Sen. Spencer Deery and state Rep. Tim Yocum, each expressing congratulations and praise for the efforts to preserve and advance Pyle’s legacy.
In a highlight of the program, Rockville singer-songwriter Jack Shannon debuted an original song titled “Ernie,” which he wrote for the occasion. The ballad recounts Pyle’s extraordinary life, punctuated by the poignant refrain, “He was just a farm boy but only for a while/Soon the world would come to know the name of Ernie Pyle.”
Key closed the program at the fire house, expressing appreciation for all those who made the event possible, before moving the crowd outside for a short walk to museum grounds for the unveiling.
Members of Newport American Legion Reveille Post 184 and St. Bernice American Legion Post 108 presented the colors.
The National Anthem and Taps were performed by North Vermillion High School band and choir director Ben West.
Q&A with Ernie Pyle sculptor Bill Wolfe
Read about the Ernie Pyle statue’s dedication here.
Photos by Andy Chandler.
Artist Bill Wolfe began sculpting in 2001. He has done 30 statues including depictions of basketball legend Larry Bird, poet James Whitcomb Riley, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Medal of Honor recipient Charles Abrell. Ernie Pyle is his latest piece.
How did you research Pyle as you prepared to create this piece?
Wolfe: I studied every photo of Pyle available. The slightest detail could have some influence on the statue presentation. Pyle posed for a bust by acclaimed sculptor, Jo Davidson. Davidson measured Pyle’s head from life and I was able to study that copy. It was the second best to actually having Ernie pose in person.
Is there anything surprising you learned about Pyle along the way?
Wolfe: It was surpxrising to discover that Ernie Pyle spent some time with Hoosier artists in Brown County. Pyle interviewed painter, Will Vawter whom I made a statue of for Greenfield, Indiana.
Are there any special details you included on Ernie Pyle’s sculpture that visitors will notice?
Wolfe: I hope that visitors to the statue will feel the reflective and contemplative character of Ernie Pyle. He is sitting on sandbags with his typewriter to the right. He is wearing a ring that we used real turquoise in the setting.
You’ve said Pyle is your favorite piece to date, why is that?
Wolfe: Pyle grew up only a few miles from where I grew up. I’ve known about Ernie’s legacy for a long time .There is a midwestern “country boy” connection and I feel like I captured a good likeness of him. For that reason, I think it’s one of my best.
What do you hope Pyle’s sculpture will bring to the museum and visitors who encounter it?
Wolfe: I hope the bronze statue will serve as a tribute to Ernie Pyle and honor his achievements and sacrifice. The bronze image will be a photo opportunity for visitors and an icon for the museum.
Ernie Pyle statue unveiling set for Veterans Day — Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025
Ernie Pyle WWII Museum Veterans Day Events
• 8-10 a.m. EST Free Breakfast for EVERYONE at Helt Twp Firehouse, 160 N. Maple St.
Dana, Indiana, in honor of Veterans Day.
• 9 a.m. EST Quilt of Honor presentation by Old Glory Quilters of Parke County to eight Vermillion County Veterans at Helt Twp Firehouse.
• 11 a.m. EST Dedication Ceremony of Ernie Pyle Sculpture. Download the Ernie Pyle Sculpture Dedication Program.
• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. EST Museum is open on Veterans Day.
The Friends of Ernie Pyle invites the public to attend the unveiling of the bronze statue of World War II’s preeminent correspondent. The statue was created by Clinton sculptor Bill Wolfe.
The presentation of the statue will be at 11 a.m. on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The statue will be erected just north of Pyle’s birthplace on the grounds of the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum in Dana.
The date is appropriate since Pyle will forever be associated with American troops – not only for his coverage of the average soldier, sailor and marine, but as the successful advocate for combat pay. His efforts led to Congress’ passage of The Ernie Pyle Bill in 1944, which established the policy of paying troops in combat zones an extra amount. That policy continues today.
The ceremony will include music, a military honor guard and government representatives. Wolfe will personally reveal his artistic rendition of Pyle.
“The Friends of Ernie Pyle is excited to dedicate this statue on Veterans Day,” said Steve Key, president of the organization that operates the Dana museum. “Ernie’s statue marks the first phase of our effort to create the Ernie Pyle & Veterans Memorial Park.”
When the park is completed, it will include a covered outdoor stage for museum and community events. The park project also will have permanent ADA-accessible restrooms, a healing garden of Indiana-native plants, a display of flags representing all branches of the Armed Forces, and an educational WWII Victory Garden.
“Pyle deserves to have his legacy preserved,” Key said. “He served as an invaluable link between American families on the home front and their relatives stationed thousands of miles away from home and literally scattered across the world. Ernie covered the war from the view of a foxhole – telling stories of common people caught up in uncommon times.”
The Friends of Ernie Pyle is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of Pyle – a son of Dana who wrote of war, but never glorified it. His story-telling skills earned him the Pulitzer Prize in 1944.
The museum is located at 120 Briarwood Ave., in Dana. There is no admission to tour the museum thanks to a contract with the Helt Township Board of Trustees. Days of operation are limited, but the Friends will make every effort to accommodate visitors who reach out in advance for a tour.
Pictured above: Left Sculptor Bill Wolfe explains the process of creating a statue depicting Ernie Pyle during the Friends of Ernie Pyle annual meeting in August 2024. Right Wolfe’s bronze statue of Pyle will be dedicated at 11 a.m., on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2025 at the Ernie Pyle WWII Museum in Dana, Indiana.
“Story of G.I. Joe” 80th anniversary movie screening at museum kicks off week of Ernie Pyle 125th birthday events
Outdoor showing scheduled for 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2 in Dana, Indiana. For more information on birthday celebration activities, click here.
Ernie Pyle’s “Story of G.I. Joe” premiered 80 years ago in Indianapolis. The movie is based on Pyle’s WWII columns chronicling the experiences of soldiers. It stars Burgess Meredith as Pyle — actors James Gleason and Walter Brennan were also considered for the lead role. In February 1945, Pyle wrote, in characteristically self-deprecating fashion, about the film which had recently finished shooting:
“My part is played by Burgess Meredith. The make-up men shaved his head and wrinkled his face and made him up so well that he’s even uglier than I am, poor fellow.”
The film was directed by William Wellman and earned four Academy Award nominations including one for Best Supporting Actor for Robert Mitchum. It was released three months after Pyle was killed by sniper fire on the island of Ie Shima on April 18, 1945. In his column, Pyle wrote that his close friend Paige Cavanaugh was a consultant on the film. Pyle wrote that Cavanaugh’s role was to, according to producer Lester Cowan, make sure, “Cowan didn’t louse Pyle up.”
As the filming was wrapping up in February 1945 Pyle wrote, “They are still calling it The Story of G.I. Joe. I never did like the title, but nobody could think of a better one, and I was too lazy to try.”
Ernie Pyle laid to rest July 19, 1945 in Hawaii at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Ernie Pyle was laid to rest July 19, 1945 at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl Crater, Oahu, Hawaii.
Pyle was killed by sniper fire on the island of Ie Shima on April 18, 1945 — shortly before the end of WWII. He was buried on that island. After hostilities ceased, he was moved three months later to the National Memorial Cemetery in Oahu, Hawaii.
Photos of the ceremony are from slide scans from the Owen Johnson Collection at the Ernie Pyle WWII Museum. Johnson, a historian and retired journalism and history professor at Indiana University, was the author of “At home with Ernie Pyle.” The slides are from a collection of documents related to Pyle that his family donated to the museum after his death in 2022. They were scanned by museum archivist Andy Chandler.
Courtesy Lilly Collection IU Bloomington; Prov: US Army 8309th Service Unit Signal Photography.
Jeep enthusiasts gather, veterans honored at Ernie Pyle WWII Museum during innaugural Jeep Show
2nd annual event already scheduled for July 18, 2026
The Ernie Pyle WWII Museum hosted its first-ever Jeep Show on July 12 in Dana, Indiana.
The event was an opportunity to celebrate veterans and their service and was a wonderful day of honoring veterans, supporting small business,and celebrating the Jeep — an essential tool during WWII.
Pyle wrote about the Jeep in his column while covering the war from North Africa on June 4, 1943:
“And the jeep—good Lord, I don’t think we could continue the war without the jeep. It does everything.
It goes everywhere. It’s as faithful as a dog, as strong as a mule, and as agile as a goat. It constantly carries twice what it was designed for, and still keeps on going. It doesn’t even ride so badly after you get used to it.”
Winning their respective classes in the museum’s innaugral Jeep Show were:
• WWII Era, Kylan Norman, Terre Haute, IN
• JK, Orlando Taylor, Brookfield, IL
• JL, Dino Hood, Greencastle, IN
• CJ, Becky Hanner, Chrisman, IL
• Open, Mike Galey, Ridge Farm, IL
• JT, Ray Robinson, Chrisman, IL
• Flat Fender, Jamey Wengler
• TJ, Ron Simpson
Veterans honored at this year’s event collectively represented, collectively 188 years of service — including one who is currently serving. These men and women represented five military branches.
Coast Guard
• Dino Hood, Greencastle
Marines
• Thomas Prater, Chrisman, Ill.
• Ray Bateman, Salem
• Tyler Payton, Dana,
Air Force
• Jack King, Crawfordsville
Air National Guard
• Kylan Norman, Terre Haute
Navy
• Marcene Dale Jefferey, Sr., Montezuma
Army
• Tom Hrdlicka, DePere, Wis.
• Dave Hodges, Crawfordsville
• Richard Reed, Clinton
• James Walker, Clinton
• Orlando Taylor, Brookfield, Ill.
• Will Langmon, Terre Haute
• Michael Pearman, Hillsdale
• Jon Brown, Crawfordsville
• Rock Weatherly, Covington
• Becky Hanner, Chrisman, Ill.
• Greg Hanner, Chrisman, Ill.
• Ray Robinson, Chrisman, Ill.
• Steven Raines, Kingman
Above: 2025 Ernie Pyle Fireman’s Festival Junior Princess presents Jamey Wengler with an award for Best Flat Fender Jeep Saturday, July 12 in Dana, Indiana.
Join us Aug. 2-10 at the museum for events celebrating Ernie Pyle’s 125th birthday
Aug. 3, 2025, marks the 125th anniversary of the birthday of Ernie Pyle — the renowned, Pulitzer Prize-winning Hoosier war correspondent. The Ernie Pyle WWII Museum in his hometown of Dana, Indiana, will mark the occasion with a week of special events Aug. 2-10 including entertainment, a party with cake and ice cream, WWII re-enactors, a screening of the movie, “The Story of G.I. Joe,” and the town’s annual Ernie Pyle Firemen’s Festival.
The birthday week celebrations begin with a showing of “The Story of G.I. Joe.” The 1945 film will be screened outside at the museum at 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2. The acclaimed movie was released 80 years ago this year. It stars Burgess Meredith as Pyle and touches on a story in Pyle’s most famous column, “The Death of Captain Waskow.” The movie debuted in Indianapolis in July of 1945, shortly after Pyle was killed in April of that year.
Birthday celebration events at the museum feature a variety of entertainment and activities. All times are EST. Festivities include the annual Ernie Pyle Firemen’s Festival which features a parade, car show, games, music, food and more on Friday, Aug. 8 and Saturday, Aug. 9. Download a birthday week event flyer here. Download a flyer for the annual Firemen’s Festival here.
Pyle was born in a farmhouse in 1900 just outside of Dana in west central Indiana. He went on to a career in journalism that included writing poignant, first-person, human-interest stories about regular soldiers during WWII. His columns were published in 400 daily and 300 weekly newspapers across the country and he became a beloved chronicler of “The Greatest Generation.” Pyle was killed shortly before the end of the war by sniper fire on the island of Ie Shima in 1945. “No man in this war has so well told the story of the American fighting man as American fighting men wanted it told. He deserves the gratitude of all his countrymen,” said President Harry Truman at the time of Pyle’s death.
While in Dana for birthday events, visitors are welcome to visit the museum. The house where Pyle was born is part of the museum where visitors can tour to learn about Pyle and life in the early 20th Century. The museum also includes Quonset huts where visitors can learn about WWII and the experiences of the soldiers Pyle covered during his time as a war correspondent.
The museum is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays from Noon-5 p.m. from May through Veterans Day in November. It will be open extended hours during the birthday week events. It is located at 120 Briarwood Ave, Dana, Indiana. Admission is free and donations are welcome in the gift shop. To arrange a group or special tour on another day or during the off-season, call the museum at 765-554-3633 or email director@erniepyle.org
Ernie Pyle 125th Birthday Celebration Events
Friday, Aug. 2-Sunday, Aug. 10
- Saturday, Aug. 2, 9 p.m. Outdoor Showing of “The Story of G.I. Joe” — bring a lawn chair, blanket, and enjoy the movie. Museum open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 3, 12:30 p.m. Ernie Pyle’s Birthday Party! Come enjoy birthday cake and ice cream Museum open Noon-5 p.m.
- Monday, Aug. 4, 6-8 p.m. Enjoy the music and dance of the WWII era. Museum open 5-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 5, 5-8 p.m. Taco Tuesday. As a roving reporter, Pyle crisscrossed the country and also Mexico and Central America. Mexican Food Truck on site for dinner. Museum open 5-8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Aug. 6, 5-8 p.m. Hometown Gathering. Hot dog meals, kids’ games, and more; Museum open 5-8 p.m.
- Thursday, Aug 7, 5-7 p.m. Bring your dog for special outdoor treats and a photo in the museum’s WWII Jeep. Friendly, leashed dogs only. Ernie had special dogs in his life — Shep, Cheetah, and any he met on his travels. Museum open 5-8 p.m.
- Friday, Aug 8- Sunday, Aug.10 WWII Reenactment. Museum open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; noon-5 p.m. on Sunday.
- Saturday Aug. 8-Sunday, Aug. 9 Ernie Pyle and Firemen’s Festival. Join us for this annual event in downtown Dana featuring a parade, food, music and more. Museum open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday; noon-5 p.m. on Sunday.
Annual Ernie Pyle & Firemen’s Festival
Friday, Aug. 8
4-8 p.m. Homemade Chicken & Noodle Dinner w/ all the fixins at the Helt Fire & Rescue Firehouse, 160 N. Maple St. Sponsored by the Dana Ladies Auxiliary.
5-10 p.m. Bingo, in front of Firehouse.
6-6:30 p.m. Inflatables, across from Firehouse ($15/date or individually as your time at the festival allows).
6:30-7:15 p.m. Talent Contest, stage. Registration at 6 p.m.
8-10 p.m. Crown Hill Band, stage.
9:30 p.m. Merchandise Wagon, stage.
Saturday, Aug. 9
• 10:30 a.m. Book Walk, stage, a quarter per walk.
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Car Show. Register at Wickens Construction on Main St.
11 a.m. Pet Parade. Line up in front of Firehouse. Judging at 11:30 a.m.
• 2 p.m. Book Walk, stage, a quarter per walk.
• 2:30-3:00 p.m. Registration for Baby, Little Miss & Master Contests, stage.
• 3:00 p.m. Baby, Little Miss & Master Contests, stage.
• 3-8 p.m. Jonah Fish Fry, Firehouse. Sponsored by Helt Fire & Rescue.
• 3-10 p.m. Bingo, in front of Firehouse.
• 3:30 p.m. Firemen’s Kid Games, Firehouse.
• 4-10 p.m. Inflatables, across from Firehouse ($15/date or can do individually as your time at the festival allows).
• 6 p.m. Parade, line up at 4 p.m. at the Dana Ball Park, north end of Dana.
• 7-8 p.m. Cake Walk, in front of stage, quarter/walk.
• 8-9:45 p.m. Stampede Band, stage.
• 10:15 p.m. Merchandise Wagon, stage.
Contact Information
Parade Dave Bishop 765-505-0819
Pet Parade Brenda Harvey 812-201-4633
Car Show Brook Dreher 689-261-5953
Talent Show Martha Reed 812-236-7254
Baby, Little Miss & Master Contest, Meleisha Umbarger 765-505-0711
Vendor & Concessions, Jordan Peebles 765-820-1245
Merchandise Wagon, Scott Peebles 765-826-1739 Michele Peebles 765-505-0451
Above: Clockwise from left: Dana, Indiana, native Ernie Pyle was a beloved WWII correspondent; The farmhouse Pyle was born in is part of the Ernie Pyle WWII Museum in Dana; The 1945 movie, “The Story of G.I. Joe,” stars Burgess Meredith as Pyle and includes narration and dialogue from his columns including his most famous wartime piece, “The Death of Captain Waskow.”