More detail on this person: Michael D. Pierce,
74, of Mineral Wells, Texas, died July 28, 2010,
at his home following a long battle with cancer,
with his wife and stepson by his side.
Major Michael D. Pierce was born Nov. 12, 1935, in
Woodward, Oklahoma. He entered into the Army
National Guard when he was a youthful lad of 14
years and retired from the Army in 1978. He was a
member of the VFW and the American Legion in
Mineral Wells.
Major Pierce was laid to rest on March 23, 2011,
in DFW National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas, after a
memorial service with full military honors. A
pilot who served with him during his 1967-1968
tour of duty in Vietnam with A Troop, 3/17th
Cavalry (Silver Spurs) shared how Major Pierce was
a real soldier of honor and always did what he
said he would do for his men. Pierce was the
troop's executive officer. Another veteran from
the Silver Spurs also attended. A tribute from the
crew chief that flew on Pierce's command and
control ship was read. Howard Shutts wrote, "I
remember Major Pierce being a very kind man. He
seemed to have a real concern for his troopers. He
was a good soldier, good pilot, and a fine human
being. I felt he was looking after me whenever we
flew together. He will be missed.
Mineral Wells DAV Chapter 235 Commander,
Derroll Ross, spoke of how Pierce always helped
veterans in any way he was capable. A
representative from the Mineral Wells Major Pierce
was laid to rest on March 23, 2011, in DFW
National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas, after a
memorial service with full military honors. A
pilot who served with him during his 1967-1968
tour of duty in Vietnam with A Troop, 3/17th
Cavalry (Silver Spurs) shared how Major Pierce was
a real soldier of honor and always did what he
said he would do for his men. Pierce was the
troop's executive officer. Another veteran from
the Silver Spurs also attended. A tribute from the
crew chief that flew on Pierce's command and
control ship was read. Howard Shutts wrote, "I
remember Major Pierce being a very kind man. He
seemed to have a real concern for his troopers. He
was a good soldier, good pilot, and a fine human
being. I felt he was looking after me whenever we
flew together.
Full military honors were rendered at the memorial
service by a mixed honor detail from the Army, Air
Force, and Marines. The young Army sergeant in
charge of the detail nearly broke into tears when
he presented the flag to the widow. The sergeant
also presented the widow with three spent shell
casings fired during the salute. During the
memorial and internment, Rev. Jane Hughes of
Mineral Wells officiated, presenting the obituary
and speaking words of comfort and assurance to
his widow and those attending. She committed his
soul to God and his remains to their final resting
place in a columbarium.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Marie
Johnson-Pierce; one stepson, one son, one
daughter and a sister. He is preceded in death by
his father, his mother, one brother, his twin
sister, and a set of quadruplets. Major Pierce
will be grievously missed by all of the many
people who loved him, especially by his widow. The
family requested that in lieu of flowers,
contributions be sent to the National Vietnam War
Museum building fund, Mineral Wells, Texas, in
honor of Army Major Michael D. Pierce (Retired.)
Burial information: DFW National Cemetery in Dallas, TX
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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