John L. Pierce
| John Leonard Pierce | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
April 25, 1895 Dallas, Texas |
| Died | February 12, 1959 (aged 63) San Antonio, Texas |
| Buried at | Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1917-1946 |
| Rank |
 Brigadier General
|
| Commands held |
 16th Armored Division
|
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
| Awards | Legion of Merit (2) |
John Leonard Pierce (April 25, 1895 – February 12, 1959) was a United States Army officer with the rank of Brigadier General. He is most noted as a commander of the 16th Armored Division during World War II.
John Leonard Pierce was born on April 25, 1895 in Dallas, Texas as the son of lawyer, Frank Cushman Pierce and his wife, Isabella. Pierce attended the West Texas Military Academy in San Antonio, Texas and subsequently Texas A&M University and then joined the Army in June 1917. Subsequently served during World War I in France. After war, Pierce served with 8th Infantry Division within Occupation forces in Koblenz, Germany.
After return to the United States, Pierce stayed in the Army and was interested in mobile warfare and the development of armor.
At the beginning of World War II, Pierce served as a Deputy Chief of Staff of the 3rd Armored Division under command of Major general Alvan C. Gillem. One year later, Pierce was transferred to the II Armored Corps (later redesignated as the XVIII Airborne Corps), where he served as Chief of Staff.
In June 1943, Pierce was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and was appointed a Chief of Staff of Armored Command. He stayed in this capacity until September 1944, when he was transferred to Camp Chaffee in Arkansas, where he assumed command of 16th Armored Division. He replaced major general Douglass T. Greene in this capacity.
...
Wikipedia