b. 22/02/1875 Cecil County, Maryland. d. 02/03/1944 Los Angeles County, California.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 19/10/1899 San Isidro, Philippines.
Charles H Pierce MOH
Phillipine Insurrection Medal of Honor Recipient. He was one of twelve scouts led by Sergeant Charles W. Ray, 500 yards in front of an advance commanded by Major John Balance of the 13th Infantry. The date was October 19, 1899, near San Isidro, Luzon, Philippine Islands. When they approached the Rio Grande River the scouts saw a bridge, which had, its planks removed to slow down the advancing Americans. Laying in wait on the other side of the bridge were about 200 enemy soldiers. Sergeant Ray led his scouts in a mad dash for the bridge as they attempted to cross on its stringers. The insurgents let loose with a heavy volley of intense fire. Private Pierce was hit by a bullet in the left thigh but refused to be taken to the rear. He stubbornly insisted on staying with his buddies in defending the bridge. The scouts were able to hold the bridge for quite some time, before the main body troops arrived.. By the end of the year the Philippine Insurrection was over and the resistance had been broken. On March 10, 1902, Private Charles Henry Pierce and Sergeant Ray were awarded the highest military award, the Medal of Honor.
MOH CITATION:
Held a bridge against a superior force of the enemy and fought, though severely wounded, until the main body came up to cross.
BURIAL LOCATION: VALHALLA MEMORIAL PARK, NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA.
BLOCK G, SECTION 6303, LOT 5.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: BELIEVED TO BE FAMILY.
