Location
Lat 26° 43' 24N Long 127° 47' 15E   Small island located three miles west of Okinawa. Known in english as "Ie Shima". Today, the island is accessible by ferry from Okinawa four times a day.

Wartime History
During the second week of April 1945, US Army, 77th Infantry Division landed on Ie Shima. Liberating the island, there were 1,100 American casualties. Among them was the famous war correspondent Ernie Pyle killed April 18, 1945.

Mount Gusuku
Highest peak on the island.

Ernie Pyle Monument
Located to the south of the main pier at Ie Shima. This monument was created during the war to US War Correspondent Ernie Pyle who was killed on April 18, 1945 reporting from the island by sniper fire. Pyle was of the most famous journalist covering the war, because he stayed with the fighting men, close to the action. Ernest T. Pyle is buried at Honolulu Cemetery (Punchbowl) at Plot D, Row 0 Grave 109.

Ie Shima Airfield
Built by the Japanese, captured by Americans and expanded into a major airbase

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Last Updated
March 16, 2013