Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Francis Edwin Pierce, Jr. (MCSN: 0-7482), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Headquarters Squadron, Marine Aircraft Group ELEVEN (MAG-11), and subsequently as Executive Officer and later as Commanding Officer of Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Western Caroline Islands Area, from 18 September 1944, to 12 March 1945. Completing numerous missions during this period, Major Pierce contributed materially to the destruction of enemy installations. His airmanship, courage and devotion to duty in the face of enemy anti-aircraft fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212)

    Regiment:

    Marine Air Group 14 (MAG-14)

    Division:

    1st Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    January 11 & 15, 1943

    SPOT AWARD: Serial 0781 (SofN Signed November 4, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Francis Edwin Pierce, Jr. (MCSN: 0-7482), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as a Fighter Pilot attached to Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-212), Marine Air Group FOURTEEN (MAG-14) FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area on 11 and 15 January 1943. On 11 January Captain Pierce accompanied eleven other fighter planes escorting dive bombers ordered to strike at enemy shipping off New Georgia Island. As Japanese fighter planes fiercely attacked our bombers and threatened the success of our mission, he daringly engaged the enemy and by his cool courage and expert marksmanship shot down two hostile aircraft and assisted in driving off the remaining planes, thereby insuring the success of the dive-bombing attack. While taking part in a similar mission on 15 January he was piloting one of fifteen fighter planes when twenty-four enemy fighters attacked our dive bombers. Although wounded severely in both legs and with his plane badly damaged, Captain Pierce, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, boldly countered the attack and personally shot down three of the eleven Japanese planes destroyed during the engagement. His superb airmanship and indomitable fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.