Robert E. "Bob" Pierce

Robert E. "Bob" Pierce

I was born on June 30, 1919 in Corona, California. I attended schools in Corona and Riverside, California. I earned a B.S. in Agricultural Economics, and an M.S. in Education.

I joined the Navy on July 15, 1938. After Boot Camp at San Diego, California, I was assigned to the U.S.S. Idaho (BB42), reassigned to the U.S.S. Salt Lake City (CA25) in April 1940 in Peart Harbor. In September 1941, I broke my ankle and was transferred to the U.S. Naval Hospital, Pearl Harbor, and was there on December 7, 1941 as the Japanese attacked. I returned to the Salt Lake City on Tuesday, after the attack. In March 1942, I was transferred to New Construction School, Washington, D.C. I was promoted to Fire Controlman 1st Class, and assigned to the pre-commissary party for the U.S.S. Nassau (CVE-16). I served on the Nassau until February 1944, when I was commissioned to Ensign, USN and sent to commission the U.S.S. Flint (CL97).

While aboard the Nassau, my job was to keep the 20 and 40mm guns firing and aligned. Except for practice, the only time the guns were fired at the enemy was at Attu, in May of 1943.

I remained in the Navy as a Reserve Officer and later as a Limited Duty Officer (Ordnance). Finally, I retired as a Lt. Commander, USN in 1961 after serving various ships (Baltimore, Boxer, FireDrake) and stations (Naval Mine Depot Yorktown, Nuclear Weapons, San Dia Base, Naval Magazine, Guam. I was in 10 battles in the Asiatic-Pacific; on the Boxer in Korea, Vietnam and China Sea. I was awarded Unit Commendation, all W.W.II ribbons and medals, Korea ribbons, GCM and Vietnam ribbons.

Other military service memories are the Boxer from San Diego to Tokyo, July 1950 at start of Korean War, reloading time still stands; Sigmon Rhea, president of Korea's speech aboard Boxer three weeks before North Korean attack on July 16, 1950.

I married Both and we have four children: Robert Jr., Charles, Carol, Annette; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. During civilian life, I worked as a quality assurance and test engineer, and director of quality assurance at Toro Company. I retired on July 31, 1984 and reside in Riverside, California.