Warrant Officer Harry Otto Pierce goes to Vietnam.

Uncle Harry (above, date unknown) was in and out of the US Armed as the country needed his services. His last battles were in Vietnam he served two assignments "in country", 1964-65 and again in 1968-69. He flew and trained others on many fixed wing, propeller driven planes and a any kind of helicopters. He flew and trained other to fly the Bell UH-1H, "Huey", in production from 1956 to the present was a work horse of that jungle warfare. It is seen in many Vietnam era news clip and movies. Harry Pierce was assigned to the 1st Aviation Company, located in Vung Tau, Vietnam, during the war.

His last enlistment the Army offered him the rank of Chief Warrant Officer (CW3), the most senior of Army and Air Force warrant officers. He had had the title and rank of Captain when he resigned during "peace" to go back into civilian life, but upon return to active duty for Vietnam, there were too many Captains in that MOS (Military Occupation Specialty Codes) and unit so he was awarded the CW3, a rank which served him well. Since he was the most highly trained and most senior (time in grade) officer, he was immune to most of the drudgery in the service (marching in parades, CQ "Charge of quarters", etc) and left free to fly, instruct and enjoy himself as much as one can in war. That rank, during Vietnam, was highly respected because many CW3's were mature/seasoned. The older CW3's had served in other conflicts. Lieutenants and Captains did not often challenge this rank as they almost never had first hand combat history. Enlisted men & non-commissioned officers were required to salute him, an honor usually only reserved for commissioned officers. Many high ranking officers and most junior officers saluted him. I was told the the rank/duty (CW3) came from Civil War times and that it was a civilian/military rank, leaving the line vague between the two.

Harry Pierce saw combat in every theater during WWII and in Vietnam. He was awarded many medals, but is most proud of his pilots' "Flight Wings" and Defense Ribbons for "America', "Europe-Africa", Asia-Pacific" and Vietnam. He was also awarded the "Air Medal" early in his flight career. This medal is awarded to a person while serving in the United States Armed Forces, "who shall have distinguished himself by meritorious achievement in aerial flight". He was awarded the "Air Medal" twelve (12) times during his career fighting for the United States of America.

My uncle retired from military service in 1970 and now at 86 he has spent much time in blissful retirement and has out-lived most of his original WWII and many Korean era veterans & buddies. He boosts of a good constitution, diet and exercise. I hope he lives to be a healthy hundred. He is a hero to me.