World War II Honoree

Henry Reginald Pearce

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Michigan City, Indiana

Honored By

Frederick Pearce

Relationship

Brother

HE WAS A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER IN CIVILIAN LIFE AND ENTERED THE NAVY IN MARCH OF 1943. AFTER BASIC TRAINING THE NAVY ASSIGNED HIM TO PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK AS A PHOTOGRAPHERS MATE 3RD CLASS. PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT TO A THEATRE OF OPERATION NAVY SHIPS HAD TO GO THROUGH 'SHAKEDOWN'. PART OF SHAKEDOWN INCLUDED THE SHIPS' GUNS FIRING AT AIRBORNE DRONES AND TARGETS TOWED BY OTHER SHIPS. PHOTOGRAPHIC PROOF OF HITS AND SCORING WERE A NECESSARY PART OF THE OVERALL ITEMS OF SHAKEDOWN FOR CERTIFICATION OF BATTLE-READY CONDITION. HIS OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDED DEVELOPMENT AND PRINTING OF HIS PHOTO NEGATIVES IN ADDITION TO CHARTING OF THE SHIPS' RESULTS AS OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION OF SHAKEDOWN DATA. HE COMPLETED HIS NAVY SERVICE IN JANUARY 1946.