Medal of Honor: Francis Junior Pierce – U.S. Navy – World War II

Name: Francis Junior Pierce
Rank: Pharmacist’s Mate First Class
Branch: U.S. Navy
Unit: Serving with 2d Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division
Place: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands
Entered Service At: Iowa
Born: 7 December 1924, Earlville, Iowa

Summary of Action

During the brutal fighting on Iwo Jima, Pharmacist’s Mate First Class Francis J. Pierce repeatedly volunteered for the most dangerous assignments, moving through constant enemy fire to aid the wounded.

On 15 March, while assisting in the evacuation of two wounded Marines, his group came under intense rifle and machinegun fire. When a corpsman and two stretcher bearers were hit, Pierce immediately took command. He carried the newly wounded to cover, administered first aid, and directed the evacuation of three casualties.

Then, standing fully exposed, he deliberately drew enemy fire while returning fire himself, allowing the remaining litter bearers to reach safety.

Turning back to the wounded still left behind, he began treating a severely injured Marine when a Japanese soldier opened fire from a cave less than 20 yards away, wounding the man again. To save his patient, Pierce exposed himself, drawing the enemy out and killing him with his last rounds.

Unarmed, he then lifted the wounded Marine onto his back and carried him across 200 feet of open, fire-swept terrain to safety.

Despite exhaustion—and warnings against it—he turned and crossed the same deadly ground again to rescue another Marine.

The following day, Pierce led a patrol to eliminate a sniper position. While aiding a wounded comrade, he was seriously injured. Even then, he refused treatment for himself, directing care for the casualty and providing protective fire for his team.

His fearless devotion to others inspired all who served with him.

Medal of Honor Citation

PIERCE, FRANCIS JUNIOR

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.