Latest Acquisition for the Museum

[Cobrahistorian]

Hey all,

 

Major David Pierson recently donated his uniform to the National Guard Memorial Museum for display in our Korean War gallery. I'm really happy to be able to display this and after talking to him for a few hours on three separate phone calls and one visit here at the museum, I'm just amazed by him. Major Pierson began his flying career as an Aviation Cadet and ended up flying P-47N's with the 465th fighter Squadron, 507th FG off of Ie Shima in the closing days of the war. He flew eleven combat missions, mostly ground attack/interdiction missions. The squadron flew one long range B-29 escort mission during their time in combat. Pierson said to me this afternoon that he'd "rather fly a dozen escort missions than one ground attack mission!"

 

After WWII, he joined the California Army National Guard as an Artillery officer and became an L-19 pilot for the division. Pierson flew artillery spotting missions for DIVARTY during the National Guard 40th division's time in Korea. He returned home in July 1952 when the mobilized National Guardsmen of the 40th division were recalled from Active Duty service. The 40th division, however, remained in Korea.

 

Major Pierson remained in the California National Guard until his retirement in 1969. He is still a rated aviator at 86 and owns his own T-34, but as he told me, he doesn't go up without another rated aviator these days.

 

I was fascinated by his uniform when it arrived. There are a few things that have been added back to it, like the USAAF pilot wings and Senior Aviator wings, both of which are well postwar pieces along with the nameplate and merrowed edge 40th division patch. The intriguing thing though was the 8th Air Force combat patch which is original to the jacket. In July 1945, the 8th Air Force HQ was assigned to Sakugawa Airfield on Okinawa and although many sources say that no combat missions were flown by the 8th, the 507th FG came under their administrative control, thus Major Pierson's 8th AF combat patch without having ever served in Europe!

 

[doyler]

Jon

Thats is a great addition to the museum.Any firther info on his soldiers medal?

 

RON

[Cobrahistorian]

Ron,

 

I've gotta call him about that. I had to run this afternoon shortly after he called, so I only asked a couple questions. The Soldier's Medal is top on my list to ask next time!

 

Jon

[George]

Jon, do you know what unit the DUI/Crest are for? George

[Cobrahistorian]

George,

 

Yep, they're screwback DUIs for the 143rd Field Artillery, CA NG.

[George]

Jon, thank you. George