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Photo # NH 84956-A:  Pharmacist's Mate First Class Francis J. Pierce

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-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Pharmacist's Mate First Class Francis J. Pierce, USN, (1924-1986)

Francis Junior Pierce was born on 7 December 1924 in Earlville, Iowa. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from the Naval Recruiting Station, Great Lakes, Illinois in December 1941. After recruit training at Great Lakes, Pierce received instruction at the Hospital Corps School, Portsmouth, Virginia, graduating in March 1942. He briefly served at the Naval Hospital, Parris Island, South Carolina before reassignment to Camp Lejuene, North Carolina. In January 1944, he was assigned to Medical Company "B', Fourth Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California. In February, he saw combat on Kwajalein, in the Marshall Islands, and during June and July 1944 was again in action on Saipan and Tinian, in the Marianas.

During February and March 1945, while serving with the Second Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, Fourth Marine Division, Pierce participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima. On 15 March 1945, while helping and evacuating wounded Marines during bitter fighting, he deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire to protect the wounded men under his care and eventually carried two of them to safety across fire-swept open terrain. Although seriously wounded on 16 March while providing aid to a wounded Marine, he disregarded his own injuries, directed treatment of the injured man and fired on the enemy to provide cover for his fellow troops. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life," he was awarded the Medal of Honor, as well as the Navy Cross and the Silver Star. Pierce was discharged from the Navy in December 1945.

After moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan, he spent a year in the Michigan National Guard, attaining the rank of Second Lieutenant, and joined the Grand Rapids police force as a patrolman. During a career in which he rose to Deputy Police Chief, he continued to demonstrate personal bravery during difficult and dangerous situations. Francis J. Pierce died on 21 December 1986 and is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

This page features the only images we have concerning Franklin J. Pierce.


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Photo #: NH 84956-A

Pharmacist's Mate First Class Francis J. Pierce, USN


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 242.
Francis J. Pierce received the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life" on 15-16 March 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 67KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-705728

President Harry S. Truman


Presents the Medal of Honor to three former servicemen, in ceremonies at the White House, 25 June 1948.
Recipients are (left to right):
Lieutenant Commander Jackson Charles Pharris, USN (Ret);
Pharmacist's Mate First Class Francis Junior Pierce, USN;
and Staff Sergeant John R. Crews, U.S. Army.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 67KB; 740 x 585 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 



Medal of Honor citation of Pharmacist's Mate First Class Francis Junior Pierce, USN (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 242):

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the Second Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH 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 machine-gun fire which wounded a corpsman and two of the eight stretcher bearers who were carrying two 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 three 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 two casualties, he was attempting to stop the profuse bleeding of one 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 United States Naval Service."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 8 July 2006