Pharmacist's Mate First Class Francis Pierce - MCRD - San Diego, CA
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 32° 44.564 W 117° 11.679
11S E 481764 N 3622783
Marine "Medics" are called Corpsmen...they are Naval Personnel. When they graduate from training they get a choice ...white or green...white stays Navy...green goes Marine. At the MCRD Museum, access open to the public every day.
Waymark Code: WMZXHJ
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 01/19/2019
Views: 0
County of painting: San Diego County
Location of memorial: Hochmuth Ave, James L. Day Hall Museum, MCRD
MCRD: Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Artist: Alvin B. Grant
Plaque Text:
Pharmacist's Mate First Class Francis Pierce
PhM1 Pierce received the Medal of Honor for actions from 15 to 16 March 1945, while assigned to 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division, on Iwo Jima. PhM1 Pierce was returning with wounded to a forward aid station when they were ambushed. He quickly took charge of the situation, finding a safe position for the wounded. PhM1 Pierce drew out the attacker and killed him with the last of his ammunition. Carrying a wounded man, he ran 200 feet through open terrain and enemy fire. The following day, PhM1 Pierce led a combat patrol through the same area when he was wounded while assisting a fallen Marine. Refusing medical attention, he directed the treatment of the causality, as well as the maintaining protective fire of the patrol.
PhM1 Pierce's Official Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to the 2nd Battalion,24th Marines, 4th Marine Division, during the Iwo Jima campaign on 15 and 16 March 1945. Almost continuously under fire while carrying out the most dangerous volunteer assignment, Petty Officer 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, Petty Officer 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 twenty yards away and wounded his patient again. Risking his own life to save his patient, Petty Officer 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 snipers 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, and devoted to the care of his patients, Petty Officer Pierce inspired the entire battalion. His valor on the face of extreme peril sustains the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service."