DANA — As Ernie Pyle wrote from the Allied Headquarters in North Africa on June 4, 1943, an excerpt, “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.”
In honor of the Jeep that Pyle so affectionately wrote of, the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum will host a Jeep Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST July 12 in Dana.
For a small registration fee, Jeep owners can enter their vehicle into the show. The first 100 entries will receive a customized dash plaque. Military classes include: WWII Era, Korean War Era, Vietnam War Era, Hummer/Modern Day. Jeep classes include: Best Flat Fender, Best CJ, Best TJ, Best JL, Best YJ, Best JK, Best JT and Open Class. Awards will be announced at 2:30 p.m. The QR code to register for the show can be found on the Ernie Pyle WWII Museum Facebook page or visit the website at www.erniepyle.org
In addition to the Jeep show there will be a vendor fair as well as food and drinks available.
Most importantly, all veterans and active military personnel will be recognized at 11 a.m. This includes visitors to the show as well as Jeep show participants. Even though Pyle was killed in the Pacific Theater on April 18, 1945, he continues to have a positive impact on U.S. troops and their families. The staff and volunteers of the museum are dedicated to honoring those who volunteer to protect our freedoms.
It was Pyle’s suggestion to Congress in 1944 that our “fighting men get fight pay” that initiated what Congress passed as the “Ernie Pyle Bill.” Since WWII and to present day, U.S. troops deployed to a combat zone get combat pay because of a farm boy from Dana. One person can make a difference. His suggestion, based on first-hand accounts from the front lines during WWII, continues to make a difference for our military men and women and their families.
July of 2025 also marks the 50th anniversary of when Pyle’s birthplace was saved by the organization of volunteers, Friends of Ernie Pyle, and moved to town. It was built in 1851 and once stood southwest of Dana. It was moved to town in July of 1975 and became the Ernie Pyle Museum. In 2021, the house, the Elder-Pyle House, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a must-see for visitors to the Ernie Pyle WWII Museum.
The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays from May through Veterans Day. It is located at 120 Briarwood Ave, Dana. To arrange a group tour or special tour on another day, call the museum at 765-554-3633 or email director@erniepyle.org.
