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 |
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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. |
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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): |
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Page made 8 July 2006