Home or Place of Enlistment: Clear Creek, Idaho Killed in Action: September 27, 1918 Meuse-Argonne Offensive, France
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS CITATION
Awarded for Actions During World War I Service: Army; Rank: First Lieutenant Division: 91st Division, American Expeditionary Forces GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders No. 39 (1920)
CITATION: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) William O. Pierce, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 364th Infantry Regiment, 91st Division, A.E.F., near Very and Eclisfontaine, France, September 26 - 28, 1918. Lieutenant Pierce valiantly led his platoon in the attack on enemy positions before Very and Eclisfontaine. The following day he again led his platoon through ravines and approaches covered by enemy machine-gun fire in the attack on the Bois-de-Baulny. He was killed by enemy fire while leading his men in this attack.