|
Rank and organization: Pharmacist's Mate First Class, U.S. Navy serving
with 2d Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division. Place and date: Iwo
Jima, 15 and 16 March 1945.
Entered service at:
Iowa Birth: 7 December 1924,
Earlville, lowa. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at
the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to
the 2d Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division, during the Iwo Jima
campaign, 15 and 16 March 1945. Almost continuously under fire while carrying
out the most dangerous volunteer assignments, Pierce gained valuable knowledge
of the terrain and disposition of troops. Caught in heavy enemy rifle and
machinegun fire which wounded a corpsman and 2 of the 8 stretcher bearers
who were carrying 2 wounded marines to a forward aid station on 15 March,
Pierce quickly took charge of the party, carried the newly wounded men
to a sheltered position, and rendered first aid. After directing the evacuation
of 3 of the casualties, he stood in the open to draw the enemy's fire and,
with his weapon blasting, enabled the litter bearers to reach cover. Turning
his attention to the other 2 casualties he was attempting to stop the profuse
bleeding of 1 man when a Japanese fired from a cave less than 20 yards
away and wounded his patient again. Risking his own life to save his patient,
Pierce deliberately exposed himself to draw the attacker from the cave
and destroyed him with the last of his ammunition Then lifting the wounded
man to his back, he advanced unarmed through deadly rifle fire across 200
feet of open terrain. Despite exhaustion and in the face of warnings against
such a suicidal mission, he again traversed the same fire-swept path to
rescue the remaining marine. On the following morning, he led a combat
patrol to the sniper nest and, while aiding a stricken marine, was seriously
wounded. Refusing aid for himself, he directed treatment for the casualty,
at the same time maintaining protective fire for his comrades. Completely
fearless, completely devoted to the care of his patients, Pierce inspired
the entire battalion. His valor in the face of extreme peril sustains and
enhances the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
| | |