Alvin Lee Pierce was born on 30 July 1917 at Wise, Virginia, the son of Walter Hubert Pierce and Mary Ellen Gilley. He married Ruby Gladys Scott at Bristol, Virginia on 30 November 1936. Their son Gerald Lee Pierce was born in 1937.
He died 9 May 1943 in Tunisia.
Buried at Happy Valley Memorial Park, Elizabethton, TN
Sergeant
601st Tank Destroyer Battalion, Company A
He was awarded the Silver Star for heroism in the Southwest Pacific and in North Africa. For gallantry in action, Corporal Pierce volunteered to reconnoiter an enemy strong point, and advanced under hostile and friendly artillery fire to within 200 yards of the enemy positions. He returned with valuable information, materially aiding the advance of American forces.
The Elizabethton Star, 5 June 1943
Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Pierce, Parkway extension, route, have been notified that their son, Sgt. Alvin L. Pierce, age , was killed in action in North Africa May 9. Sgt. Pierce was recently awarded the Silver Star for heroism. He joined the service February 12, 1940, and received his training at Fort Bevons, Mass. He was a member of the National Guard before enlisting in the service. Sgt. Pierce served with the infantry a short while in England before being sent to Africa. Sgt. Pierce is survived by his parents, one son Gerald Lee Pierce, two brothers, Allen Pierce of the U.S. Navy; Robert J. Pierce of Radford, Virginia; five sisters, Mabel Pierce of the WAACS; Mrs. Raymond Sturgill, Mrs. Robert Peters, Mrs. Herman Mays and Miss Madge Pierce, all of Elizabethton.
- Rank: Sergeant
- Date of birth: 30 July 1917
- Date of death: 9 May 1943
- County: Carter
- Hometown: Elizabethton
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion, Company A
- Theater: North Africa
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Happy Valley Memorial Park, Elizabethton, Carter County, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VII, Bottom Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Alvin L. Pierce
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