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Article Title: Lawrence W Youngman: War Correspondent for the Omaha World-Herald

For more articles from this special World War II issue, see the index to full text articles currently available.

Full Citation: Douglas R Hartman, “Lawrence W Youngman: War Corresondent for the Omaha World-Herald,” Nebraska History 76 (1995): 100-105

Notes: Lawrence Youngman was, essentially, an embedded reporter with the 134th Infantry Regiment in Europe. As a reporter for the Omaha World-Herald, his photographs and stories concentrated on the daily lives of every day soldiers. His work, now held by the Nebraska State Historical Society, continues to be a valuable resource for the men and activities of the 134th.

URL of Article: http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/publicat/history/full-text/1995_War_06_Youngman.pdf

Photos: Youngman leaving for Europe; Youngman and his driver Pvt John Robidoux; group pictures that appeared in December 3, 10, and 19, 1944 editions of the Omaha World-Herald; promotion of Joseph F Peitz, Thomas Higley and Cecil D Foster; a training exercise in England with Eisenhower and Miltonberger; French mud; circulation ad featuring Youngman in Europe for the OmahaWorld-Nerald

By Doug/as R. Hartman

One of the newest acquisitions at the Immediately following the United Nebraska State Historical Society is a States's entry into World War II, the collection of more than 700 photo­ thirty-five-year-old assignment reporter graphs of the 134th Infantry Regiment applied for a commission in the army. (Nebraska National Guard) taken in Eu­ The military rejected Youngman's appli­ rope during World War II by Lawrence cation when a physical revealed he had W. Youngman, the Omaha World­ a slight curvature of the spine. Disap­ Herald's war correspondent. Youngman pointed at not being able to serve, originally donated his correspondent's Youngman focused his energy on home uniform, 35mm Kodak camera, press front projects. He helped organize the identification booklet, and photographs World-Herald's scrap metal drive, wrote to the Nebraska National Guard Histori­ most of the paper's lead articles promot­ cal Society's Museum in 1990. Although ing the project (for which the World­ most of Youngman's artifacts and ar­ Herald won a Pulitzer Prize), and as­ ticles remain on display at the National sisted in the formation of the Nebraska Guard Museum as part of a traveling ex­ Civil Air Patrol, becoming its wing intel­ hibit, his photographic negatives have ligence officer. been transferred to the Historical Soci-. Youngman, determined to playa ety to provide researchers with better more significant role in the war, ap­ access to the collection. proached the managing editor of the Youngman was born on June 21, World-Herald, Fred J. Ware, in early 1905, in Harveyville, Kansas, where his 1944. Youngman proposed going to Eu­ father practiced medicine for over sev­ rope to cover the local angle in the enty years. He entered Kansas State. Uni­ pending invasion of France. Ware versity in 1923 and graduated in 1927 thought it was a good idea and dis­ with a B.S. in journalism. After college cussed it with publisher Henry Doorly he went to work for the now defunct ­ and editor-in--chief H. E. Newbranch. Manhattan Morning Chronicle. Following The World-Herald management was short stints at the Morning Chronicle and somewhat leery about sending a re­ Aviation Magazine in New York, porter to Europe, but eventually agreed Youngman accepted a position with the to the idea. The paper's executives World-Herald in 1929. For the next sev­ warned Youngman before he left enteen years he served as an assign­ Omaha that he had better produce once ment reporter and the aviation editor. he arrived in England or he would be re­ He covered such events as the 1935 Re­ called quickly. pUblican River flood, the 134th in World Youngman spent ten days in Wash­ War II, and the 1946 World's Fair of ington, D.C., in late May 1944 being ac­ Aviation. credited by the Joint Army and Navy Board on War Correspondents' Creden­

tials. U Accreditation was a long process Douglas R. Hartman is command historian {or the Nebraska National Guard. Youngman leaving for Europe. that included an interview with the FBI," NSHS-PCl720 explained Youngman. The joint board

100 Lawrence Youngman

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, ... lawrence Youngman (left) and his driver, Pvt. John Robidoux of Falls City. The words "Ye Omaha Bugle" are partially obscured by the "Press" sign. NSHS-PCl720 accredited 1,646 American correspon­ war who was part of Field Marshal strategic aspects of the war. dents between February 1942 and Bernard L. Montgomery's press corps, The 134th's commander, Col. Butler September 1945. 1 Once a reporter had had spotted Youngman's name on a list B. Miltonberger, placed a jeep and a arrived in a particular theater of opera­ of incoming correspondents. Oldfield driver (Pvt. John Robidoux from Falls tions, the senior Allied commander explained the requirements for receiv­ City) at Youngman's disposal, giving decided whether or not to certify the ing press credentials in the ETO (Euro­ Youngman a freedom of movement not correspondent's accreditation and issue pean Theater of Operations) and told all reporters enjoyed. As a result he was press credentials. These identification Youngman where he could locate the able to write about and photograph al­ cards, which contained the reporter's vi­ 134th Infantry Regiment. According to most every aspect of the Nebraskans' tal statistics, photograph, and finger­ Youngman, "This was a great relief to service. Typically, he would go to hospi­ prints, could be revoked by the senior me because I had no lead on the 134th tals, the front line, sUPR0rt units, award Allied commander at any time and for when I left Omaha." ceremonies, and anywnere else he any reason. "Once you were accred­ Youngman began covering the could find Nebraskans. He would then ited," said Youngman, "it entitled you to regiment's activities while it trained in gather them together for a group.photo­ a certain amount of cooperation and re­ southern England. "My instructions from graph. The 700 negatives in the spect.n All civilian reporters received the World-Herald were to write and pho­ Youngman collection show many activi­ the assimilated rank of captain. They tograph the Nebraska Gis and not to ties: church services in the field, firing also wore a standard U.S. Army uniform worry about the grand sweep of the howitzers, card playing, bathing in riv­ that included distinctive green felt war," explained Youngman. He detailed ers, captured equipment and prisoners, patches with yellow lettering that clearly the 134th's preparation in England for award presentations, football games, identified them as war correspondents. combat, followed the unit to France in ~ training exercises, wounded men in hos­ Youngman arrived in England by July 1944, and wrote about the pitals, and field inspections by Generals plane on July 5 (the night before the D­ regiment's battles at St. Lo, Nancy, and Dwight D. Eisenhower, George S. Patton, Day invasion), checked into the Savoy Morhange. National papers such as and Paul W. Baade, Thirty-fifth Division Hotel in London, and received an unex­ the Chicago Tribune, New York Times, commander. Youngman "used any ex­ pected telephone call. Col. Barney and Los Angeles Times, combined with cuse to get a man's name and photo­ Oldfield, a Lincoln reporter prior to the the wire services, covered the broader graph in the paper. n ,

101 Nebraska History - SummerjFall1995

Left: The Omaha World-Herald published group pictures taken by Youngman In lis December 3, 1D, and 19, 1944, editions. NSHS-PCl720 Below: The November 25, 1944, World-Herald Included Youngman's photo of Cpl. Herman Poppe, West Point, Nebraska, distributing mail to Nebraskans: Sgt. Carl Gustafson (left), Omaha; Sgt. Westley Anderson, Chickle [Shickley?); Maj. Frederick A. Reed, Uncoln; Sgt. Arthur R. Beck, West Point; Sgt. Frank Boyle, Omaha; Cpl. Poppe; and Sgt. William Kiebel, Lexington. NSHS-PCl720

Opposite page, above: The October 19,1944, Omaha World-Herald carried Youngman's photo of Col. Butler B. Miltonberger pinning bars on Joseph F. Peitz of Hartington, Nebraska. Also receiving promotions were Thomas Higley (left), Omaha, and Cecil D. Foster, Falls City. NSHS-PCl720

Lower right: Col. Butler B. Miltonberger (right) and Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower (center) observe a training exer­ cise in England. NSHS-PCl720 Lower left: French Mud. NSHS-PCl72D

102 Lawrence Youngman

103 Nebraska History - Summer/Fall 1995

Youngman operated from his hotel while in England and from the 134th's World-Herald Staff Reporter regimental command post while in France. Customarily he would set out early each morning to gather informa­ tion and take photographs. Youngman's only "weapons" were his portable type­ F-L-I-E-S TO EUROPE writer and his camera, which he took with him wherever he went. He re­ turned to the 134th's dimly lit command post each night to write his articles, eat, TO MEET YOUR BOY! and sleep. Youngman typically worked between fourteen and sixteen hours a The World-Herald has sent its ace reporter It's a big assignment, but just leave it to day while remaining as close to the and feature writer, Lawrence Youngman, to Lawrence ..• he'll get the kiod of storiea we're Europe for the express purpose of reporting all thirstiog for. Fifteen years as a World· 134th Infantry Regiment as possible. Herald feature writer have given him the hack· home about all the Nebraska-western Iowa Only rarely did Youngman break ground; his amiling personality and quick ways boys he can fied. of makiog friends are assets ievaIuable. away from the 134th to cover a signifi­ cant event within the larger context of He'. there to meet your boy and the J oho­ So watch The World-Herald for Lawrence Youngman's stories direct from Europe ••• he nie Jones and the Bill Smiths; he'. there to get the war. One of these was the liberation may meet your boy. And if you aren't now a their opinions and views on everythiog from World-Herald subscriber. mail your subscrip­ of Paris. "It was the high spot of the war shoes to sealiog wax • • • the thioga you and tion order today • _ • we'll do our best to fill for me," said Youngman, "I'll never for­ all of us are curioW! about. yoUr order. get it as long as I live." As they entered Paris, Youngman and his driver were· caught in a cross fire between French freedom fighters and German troops. He almost became one of the 37 Ameri­ can war correspondents who were killed or the 112 who were wounded during World War II. Youngman also I lnl'n flDU~ DO,! had the rare privilege of working with in EUl'ope I'll Ernie Pyle, one of the most famous cor­ include Ill's n(lmp respondents of the war. in mil column ., While in England, Youngman wired ~~PguMfif«,*,,- his articles to the World-Herald via Uni­ versal Press, Western Union, or Postal Telegraph from the Allied press head­ quarters in London, In France, he wired timely stories where and when he could. Most of his articles, however, were features about the experiences of average soldiers. Because these ac­ counts and photos were not time sensi­ tive, they could be sent through regular mail. Unfortunately, some photographs Omaha World-Herald: Start deli.ary .t once 0 by mAl1 I The Omaha o by carrier-{]Moming and Sunday 0 EYoning Ind Sunday I got separated from the articles, stories o Moming Only 0 mning Only I were temporarily lost in the mail, and censors held certain stories and photo­ WORLD·HERALD Name...... _••••• _...... I graphs for several months. A few nega­ See EdltorlaJ Page far Street Address or RFD..... ~ ...... ,... • • ... I Sablerlptl.. Rat.1 tives even arrived at the World-Herald Town...... State...... I. with servicemen's faces obliterated by :::~~w:.l'"&~:.::.::,.: .~ J the censor. Youngman's accounts had :.~~ ~~~ ~~~-=-~.=*!..J become so popular in Nebraska, how­ Omaha WOrld-Herald, June 7, 1944. ever, that the World-Herald ran even

104 Lawrence Youngman those that had been detained in the Vire River. Mrs. Bridges began by asking in recognition of his outstanding contri­ mail or by censors for several months. Youngman if he realized the service his bution to the state and the Nebraska Na­ The paper published delayed articles stories had rendered to the mothers and tional Guard. with an introduction explaining their wives of those in the 134th. UI read your The collection of Youngman's nega­ tardiness. The World-Herald was so anx­ stories over and over," she wrote. ul was tives at the Nebraska State Historical So­ ious to publish material from Youngman with those boys all the way with your ciety, combined with a scrapbook kept that it printed cut lines listing individu­ help and all I can say is thanks for giv­ by his wife containing all of the articles als who appeared in photographs that ing me that privilege. "2 and photographs published in the had been lost in the mail. Family members also sent World-Herald, is an invaluable resource. Suppression of information by the Youngman's stories to their men over­ Although most of Youngman's photos military never concerned Youngman. seas. The 134th's regimental com­ are not combat action shots, they detail Censorship had become a fact of life for mander appreciated that his men had the daily activities in the life of Ne­ Americans, who were so caught up in received credit for their accomplish­ braska soldiers in the 134th Infantry the desire to help the war effort that it ments and sacrifices in their home state. Regiment during World War II. More­ never became a serious issue, as it did In a postwar letter to Youngman, over, the collection represents a photo­ during America's latest conflict, uOpera­ Miltonberger credited the World-Herald graphic history of the regiment. If a Ne­ tion Desert Shield/Storm." uI knew the articles with uraising the morale of the braskan served with the 134th in Europe types of information that would not get 134th." in 1944 there is a good chance that by the censors and generally tried to ad­ After five months of working long Lawrence Youngman captured him on here to the rules," said Youngman. uBe­ hours in dim light under strenuous film. sides, I did not want to be the one who battlefield conditions, Youngman began caused anyone getting killed." experiencing eye problems. Military and Notes The World-Herald tried to use civilian optometrists advised him in De­ All information, unless otherwise cited, is taken Youngman's articles to bolster its circu­ cember 1944 that it was in his best inter­ from two tape recorded interviews of Lawrence lation. The paper ran a full page ad con­ est to return to the United States. By this Youngman by the author on Dec. 2, 1989, and May sisting of a picture of Youngman board­ time the World-Herald realized 24, 1991. Copies of the tapes are available through ing an airplane with a word bubble con­ Youngman's coverage of the 134th had the Nebraska National Guard Association's Mu­ seum in Uncoln. A third interview, conducted by taining the expression, "If I meet your been a great success. Its management Lori Cox in 1989 as part of the "What did you do in boy in Europe I'll include his name in encouraged Youngman to remain in Eu­ the War?" project of the Nebraska State Historical my column." At the comer of the adver­ rope. Nevertheless Youngman wrote the SOCiety, is available at the Society. tisement was a World-Herald subscrip­ World-Herald, "and told them that I had 1 M. L. Stein, Under Fire: The Slory ofAmerican tion form. Although exact figures are to leave regardless how they felt about War Correspondenls (New York: Julian Messner, not available, the paper credited the it: He left Europe in December 1944, 1968),9-11. popularity of Youngman's stories with just before the Battle of the Bulge. 2 MIS. C. G. Bridges to Lawrence Youngman (no increasing its circulation during the war. Youngman returned to his job with date), in A. Mae Youngman scrapbook, MS1523, Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln. Few regional newspapers in World the World-Herald in January 1945, but re­ War II assigned a reporter to write about mained with the paper for only twenty­ 3 General Order 315, HQ, U.S. Forces, European Theater, Nov. 26, 1945, A. Mae Youngman a specific unit, let alone a National two more months. He resigned in Octo­ scrapbook. Guard organization. In this resp~ct the ber 1946 to begin his own business, World-Herald's coverage of the 134th is Travel and Transport, Inc. He retired in unique. Nebraskans throughout the Omaha in 1969, where he continues to state appreciated Youngman's stories live. about local boys and the 134th. The ar-­ Youngman received many accolades . ticles proved particularly meaningful to for his coverage of the 134th. He was , relatives and friends of the soldiers he one of only 314 war correspondents to 'wrote about. Youngman and the World­ receive the army's European-African­ Herald received hundreds of apprecia­ Middle-Eastern Campaign Ribbon. His tive letters from Nebraskans who saw citation reads ufor outstanding and con­ photographs and read stories about spicuous service with the armed forces their loved ones in combat. One particu­ under difficult and hazardous combat . larly heartfelt letter was from Mrs. C. G. conditions.ff3 In April 1991 Governor E. Bridges of North Platte, whose son Sgt. Benjamin Nelson presented Youngman Jim Bridges was killed in action near the with the National Guard Legion of Merit

105