John Reeves Pierce
Encyclopedia
John Reeves Pierce was an officer in the United States Navy
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in 1928. Following flight training and submarine instruction, he served in submarine
USS S-29 and studied marine engineering at the University of California
. After serving in and , he assumed command of 15 February 1941. Appointed Lieutenant Commander 2 January 1942, Pierce on 22 June took command of , a transport submarine, which participated with Nautilus in carrying out the famed, diversionary Makin Raid from 17 to 19 August.
On her third war patrol in the Southwest Pacific, Argonaut sighted an enemy convoy protected by planes and destroyers. Built as our first large minelaying submarine, she lacked proper submerged maneuverability during combat operations. When detected, she came under a vicious enemy attack. The gallant Argonaut surfaced and pressed home an aggressive counter attack, severely damaging a Japanese destroyer before succumbing to heavy enemy fire 10 January 1943. For his demonstration of courageous leadership and unyielding devotion to duty Lt. Comdr. Pierce was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
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Biography
Born in Cristobal, Panama Canal Zone, Pierce graduated from the United States Naval AcademyUnited States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1928. Following flight training and submarine instruction, he served in submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
USS S-29 and studied marine engineering at the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
. After serving in and , he assumed command of 15 February 1941. Appointed Lieutenant Commander 2 January 1942, Pierce on 22 June took command of , a transport submarine, which participated with Nautilus in carrying out the famed, diversionary Makin Raid from 17 to 19 August.
On her third war patrol in the Southwest Pacific, Argonaut sighted an enemy convoy protected by planes and destroyers. Built as our first large minelaying submarine, she lacked proper submerged maneuverability during combat operations. When detected, she came under a vicious enemy attack. The gallant Argonaut surfaced and pressed home an aggressive counter attack, severely damaging a Japanese destroyer before succumbing to heavy enemy fire 10 January 1943. For his demonstration of courageous leadership and unyielding devotion to duty Lt. Comdr. Pierce was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
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