World War II Honoree

Raymond N. Pierce

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON DECEMBER 22, 1944 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC AND QUALIFIED FOR THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF RIFLEMAN (745). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON MAY 16, 1945 BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. PARTICIPATED IN THE LUZON CAMPAIGN WITH AN UNKNOWN UNIT. WHEN THE 86TH INFANTRY ‘BLACKHAWK’ DIVISION ARRIVED IN THE PHILIPPINES AFTER WAR’S END, ASSIGNED TO COMPANY B, 341ST INFANTRY REGIMENT AND SERVED AS A PLATOON SERGEANT. EARNED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH ONE BRONZE BATTLE STAR, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL, THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH ONE BRONZE BATTLE STAR AND THE PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A STAFF SERGEANT ON NOVEMBER 25, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.