SSGT. LARRY STANLEY PIERCE MEDAL OF HONOR GRAVESTONE

SGT. PIERCE WAS SERVING AS A SQUAD LEADER IN A RECONNAISSANCE PLATOON WHEN HIS PATROL WAS AMBUSHED BY HOSTILE FORCES. THROUGH HIS INSPIRING LEADERSHIP AND PERSONAL COURAGE, THE SQUAD SUCCEEDED IN ELIMINATING AN ENEMY MACHINE GUN AND ROUTING THE OPPOSING FORCE. SGT. PIERCE THEN DISCOVERED AN ANTIPERSONNEL MINE EMPLACED IN THE ROAD BED. REALIZING THAT THE MINE COULD DESTROY THE MAJORITY OF HIS SQUAD, SGT.PIERCE SAVED THE LIVES OF HIS MEN AT THE SACRIFICE OF HIS LIFE BY THROWING HIMSELF DIRECTLY ONTO THE MINE AS IT EXPLODED.