World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Sammy A. Pierce
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Ayden, North Carolina
Honored By
Sammy A. Pierce
Active duty on September 17, 1940. Graduated pilot school in September of 1942. Last class of the fighting sergeants. Assigned to 20th pursuit group where he flew P-39, P-40 and P-43 aircraft. Assigned to 5th Air Force, 49th fighter group in December 1942. Forced to bail out due to weather on September 16, 1943 and was an evader for 8 days. Returned to states May 19, 1944. Became instructor for P-51aircraft and test pilot with fighter at Wright Field. Returned to New Guinea in October 1944. Flew P-38 aircraft and served as operations officers through Philippine and Okinawa campaigns and into Japan. Fighter pilot, 2 tours swap, 287 missions, 7 definite, 5 probable kills. Shot down 4 definite and 1 probable in a single mission on December 26, 1944. Returned to U.S. November 1945. Has Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with Cluster, Purple Heart with Cluster, Air Medal with five Clusters, Distinguished Service Cross.