World War II Honoree

Charles E. Pierce, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Matoaka, West Virginia

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENTERED NAVAL SERVICE IN 1941 AT AGE 16 AFTER CONCEALING HIS TRUE AGE. SERVED AS A TAIL GUNNER ON DIVE-BOMBER AIRCRAFT IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER. ABOARD HIS AIRCRAFT CARRIER WHEN IT WAS STRUCK BY JAPANESE TORPEDOES WHILE EN ROUTE TO GUADALCANAL IN SEPTEMBER 1942. HE WAS IN THE WATER FOR 13 HOURS BEFORE BEING RESCUED. LATER REASSIGNED TO THE NAVAL AIR GUNNERS SCHOOL AT PURCELL, OKLAHOMA IN 1943. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.