Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

Royal Irish Fusiliers, attached E Group SEAC and India Command

Awarded on:

November 15th, 1945

Citation:
"Captain PIERCE was parachuted into enemy occupied territory to carry out escape and evasion work in the area N.E. RANGOON. His task included setting up an evasion net work in this area, and to watch for the movement of Allied P.W. should they be marched from Rangoon en route for Moulmein.

This task was carried out in a thorough and efficient manner for which great credit is due to Capt. PIERCE's personality and kennness. As is now known, Allied P/W in Rangoon were liberated by the Japanese, but Capt. PIERCE was able to place himself in a position to watch the Jap withdrawal and report accordingly. His arrangements for their release was complete but no spectacular move was necessary owing to the P.W.'s liberation by the Japs.
In addition, he set up and evasion net work in his area rescuing two "downed" Allied pilots and a number of Indian P.W."

Approved
Louis Mountbatten
Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia
20 Sep 45

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Lieutenant-Colonel

Unit:

Royal Irish Fusiliers, attached E Group SEAC and India Command

Awarded on:

March 14th, 1947

Citation:
"This officer by virtue of his previous successful clandestine work on behalf of 'E' Group in occupied BURMA was earmarked for further operational work. However due to shortages of staff, on receipt of indications that the possibility of a Peace Settlement existed he was called in to assist in the planning of an operation designed to effect the release of all P.W. in SIAM.
In this capacity he did an incredible amount of work in a very short time the soundness and thoroughness of which is patently obvious by the results achieved.
On 22 Aug. Lt. Col. PIERCE parachuted into SIMA as O.C. of a party of five officers and 5 W/T operators. He proceeded in a clandestine manner to BANGKOK where he joined Tao HQ 'E' Gp and gave magnificent service during the difficult days when the P.W. Camps were being taken over from the Japanese.
On 1 Sep 45 Lt. Col. PIERCE was sent to SAIGON where he was the first British officer to arrive. He immediately assumed responsibility for the 10,000 Allied P.W. and established W/T communication with BANGKOK and RANGOON.
Throughout the period 1 - 25 Sep. ths officer acted as British Representative. At all times when fighting broke out L. Col. PIERCE proceeded with utter disregard of his personal safety to the spot to protect Allied interests.
At the Central Square SAIGON on 2 Sep 45 L. Col. PIERCE saw armed Annamites, standing in slit trenches, creeping long under cover of walls and generally acting in a war-like manner. He immediately stopped his car and despite the fact that he was greeted with a fusillade of shots and was unarmed, traversed the square and remonstrated with the rioters. He then proceeded through the thick of the fighting to the P.W. camp where he found an uproar in progress. The P.W. who were emotionally tied to the French demanded arms with which to defend th French. Lt. Col. PIERCE refused this request and proceeded to the Japanese HQ and ordered 66% of all Japanese effectives to patrol the streets and maintain order which they did, thus enabling law and order to be re-established and preventing the former P.W. from becoming involved.
On 3. Sep. in SAIGON Lt.Col PIERCE again unarmed in the company of a French officer approached and calmed a hostile armed ANNAMITE mob who thought that the air supply containers being dropped by Liberators contained arms and where therefore prepared to attack the French Internment Camp. By their joint galant actions the mob was calmed and persuaded to diperse.
On the arrival of British Forces L. Col. PIERCE handed over his responsabilities and returned to BANGKOK where he has played a leading part in the evacuation maintenance and arming of the Allied P.W. in SIAM.
In the varrying capacities of G II plans, parachutist, senior British officer in SAIGON and G II RAPWI, this officer had displayed bravery of the highest order, great initiative, brilliant staffwork and devotion to duty such as earned him the respect and admiration of French, Dutch and Australian alike."

Originally recommended for a DSO but upgraded to a OBE