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.