RALPH DELBERT PIERCY was born in Tonopah, Nye, Nevada on 03 Jun 1917 to Joseph Clifton and Ella (Roche) Piercy who married on 18 Jun 1908 in Chicago, Cook, IL. Ralph was the third of four sons. Ralph’s siblings were Joseph Clifton Jr., (1909-1970), Florces Martin "Frank"(1911-1953), and Donald Charles (1919-2013).

The Piercy surname is actually a derivation of Pierczyski which was Ralph’s great, grandfather’s surname. Joseph Pierczyski was born in 1832 in Poland. He married Magdeleine Mergenthaler, a native of Mittelbergheim, Departement du Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France. It was also the city in which Ralph’s grandfather, Joseph Charles Pierczyski was born on 06 Sep 1860. In 1865, the family emigrated to America settling in Georgetown, District of Columbia where Joseph Sr., was a Miller and his son, Joseph, worked in his father’s flour mill according to the 1880 Georgetown, Washington, DC US census. Later that year, Joseph C. Pierczyski, according to a US Army Register of Enlistments, enlisted for a period of 5 years in the US Army Signal Corps, Co. B., on 14 Oct 1880 in Washington, DC. He was 20 years old and was born in Nancy, France. On 2 Aug 1883, Joseph married Frances Maria Knott at Georgetown, D.C. Frances was a native of the District of Columbia. Joseph was discharged on 13 Oct 1885 at the expiration of service in Denver, CO.

He remained with the Signal Corps as a civilian where he received training in weather observation at Fort Myer, near Washington, D.C., which at the time was the training school for the Army Signal Corps. On 01 Oct 1890, meteorological responsibilities of the Signal Service were transferred to the new civilian agency of the U.S. Weather Bureau. Over the course of his forty-three years of service with the government agency, Joseph was attached to the offices at Denver, Santa Fe, Cleveland, Sandusky, OH, Philadelphia, North Platte, Nebraska, Tonopah, Nevada and Independence, California. He became the first weather observer at the Tonopah station.

Joseph and Frances were the parents of six children; three daughters and three sons. Their first three children, the eldest being Joseph Clifton Piercy (1884), were born at Sandusky, Erie, OH between 1884-1887 and the last three were born in North Platte, Lincoln, Nebraska between 1888-1894. Prior to 1900, Joseph shortened his surname to Piercy. The family moved from North Platte to Tonopah about 1907. Frances died in Tonopah, Nye, NV on 22 Mar 1910.

Joseph Clifton Piercy was a graduate chemist who became a pharmacist. He married Ella Roche, a native of Chicago, on 18 Jun 1908 in Chicago. They returned to Tonopah, Nevada after their wedding. They were the parents of four sons; Joseph Clifton Jr., Frank Martin (1911-1953), Ralph Delbert (1917-1942) and Donald Charles Piercy (1919-2013). Joseph Sr was employed in the Uhland’s drug store for a short time until he went into business for himself as owner of the Rexall drug store in Tonopah. About 1922, his wife wished to return to her native Chicago. Her mother, Mary (McFarlane) Roche, was beyond 70 years and may have influenced her daughter’s request. Joseph sold his business and the family returned to Chicago where Joseph found employment. In early 1927, Joseph became ill with a kidney related affliction. He died on 29 Nov 1927 in Chicago leaving his wife with four young boys, ages 7-18 to raise. Several years into the Great Depression, Ella (Roche) Piercy died in Chicago on 12 August 1932.

Under the tutelage of their court appointed guardian, Gertrude Roche, their mother’s sister, Ralph and his younger brother, Donald, were the recipients of a stable home life. Gertrude lived with her widowed sister, Ella Piercy, and four of her six children and also her 81 year old mother, Mary, in Chicago according to the1930 US Census for that city. When Ella died on 12 Aug 1932, Gertrude petitioned the Probate Court for Cook County, IL for guardianship of two of her youngest nephews, Ralph and his younger brother, Donald. She was granted guardianship on 25 Oct 1932 by the Court. Gertrude guided her nephews in their daily life including schooling. Both were successful in graduating from high school; Ralph from Hirsch (1935) and Donald from Parker high school (1937).

Ralph graduated from Hirsch high school in Chicago, IL in June 1935. The following year he had moved to Roseville, CA just 20 miles outside of Sacramento where he applied to join the US Navy in early January of 1936 at the Navy Recruiting Sub-Station (NRSS). Ralph completed a preliminary entrance examination, submitted personal references, completed administrative paperwork which included submitting a valid birth certificate and passed background checks. Many of the references were in Chicago and it took some time for them to respond which delayed his processing. Because he was under 21 years of age and both of his parents had died, he had to have an authorized person give their permission for him to enlist. That person may have been his aunt, Gertrude Piercy Delk. He was accepted for enlistment on 12 May 1936 with six other recruits. They had one additional hurdle to meet the following day at the Navy Recruiting Station (NRS) in San Francisco before they were allowed to enlisted. They had to pass a physical and dental exam. They completed that requirement and were enlisted in the US Navy for four years at the starting rate of Apprentice Seaman (AS). The beginning pay was $21.00 per month. Ralph’s navy service number was 375-77-46.

Later that day, Ralph entrained in San Francisco for the two day ride to the Naval Training Station (NTS) in San Diego for 8 weeks of recruit training. He arrived in San Diego on 15 May 1936. After he graduated from recruit training, AS Piercy was granted 10 days of leave to return home and visit family and friends. When he returned to NTS, San Diego, he received orders to report for duty to a ship in the Pacific fleet. During the next year Piercy changed his rate to Fireman Third Class (F3c) then Fireman Second Class (F2c) and finally Fireman First Class (F1c) About August 1937, F1c Piercy received orders to report for duty to the Asiatic Fleet destroyer, USS Pillsbury (DD-227). Piercy board the transport ship, USS Henderson (AP-1) as a passenger in San Francisco on 17 Sep 1937. She got underway passing under the newly opened Golden Gate Bridge bound for the Orient. She made port calls at Pearl Harbor (25-27 September); Guam (9-10 October); and Manila (17-20 October), before making landfall at Woosung, on 24 October. Departing the next day, she visited Chinwangtao (27-28 October) and Chefoo (29 October) where Piercy disembarked and reported for duty on board Pillsbury the same day. For the next three years, Piercy was a “China Fleet” sailor.

On 2 Jan 1940, F1c Piercy transferred to the Henderson for further transfer to the U.S. for duty. Clearing Manila on 6 January 1940, Henderson transited to Shanghai, and arrived on 11 January. Departing the next day, she moved on and made a port visit to Chinwangtao (15 January), before returning to Shanghai, for an eleven-day visit (18-28 January). Getting underway, she steamed to Hong Kong 31 (January-1 February), then on to Manila (3-4 February), Guam (10-12 February), Honolulu (24-26 February), and San Francisco, arriving on 4 March. Piercy reported to the Receiving Ship in San Francisco on 05 Mar 1940. On 30 March 1940, F1c Piercy was honorably discharged at the convenience of the government (CG).

On 01 April 1940, the US Census for Sacramento, CA enumerated Ralph D. Piercy living in Sacramento where he worked as a laborer. Five months later, Piercy decided that civilian life wasn’t for him. He decided to reenlist in the Navy on 25 Sep 1940 at the NRS, San Francisco. It was a fateful decision! He transferred to the Receiving Ship the same day for general assignment. On 30 Sept 1930, F1c Piercy transferred for duty with the US Naval Net Deport in Tiburon, Marin, CA. During this tour of duty, Piercy advanced in rate to Machinist’s Mate Second Class (MM2c).

The Net Depot was a military facility charged with maintaining and deploying an anti- submarine net across the Golden Gate between San Francisco and Marin County during World War II. The Depot produced over 100,000 tons of anti submarine netting designed to defend West Coast harbors against attack. The base employed both enlisted men and civilians to assemble, rig, handle and maintain the nets, booms and buoys.

On 10 Nov 1941, only weeks away from the US entry into WWII, MM2c Piercy boarded the transport ship, USS Chaumont (AP-5) in San Francisco as a passenger with orders to report to the Asiatic Station for assignment. Chaumont got underway on 29 Nov 41. Not long after getting underway, she joined eight other ships that comprised convoy #4003. The flagship was the troop transport, USS Republic (AP-33). The convoy, generally known as the Pensacola Convoy for its escort ship, the heavy cruiser, USS Pensacola (CA-24) (also seen by the US Army as the "Republic Convoy"), included the gunboat, USS Niagara (PG-52), US Navy transports USS Republic (AP-33) and USS Chaumont (AP-5), the US Army transport USAT Willard A Holbrook and USAT Meigs; the US Merchant ships S.S. Admiral Halstead and S.S. Coast Farmer, and the Dutch merchant ship MS Bloemfontein.

On board the convoy were 2600 US Army Air Forces personnel. On the Bloemfontein were eighteen crated Curtiss P-40 pursuit planes of the 35th Pursuit Group (PG), US Army Air Force, while forty-eight pursuit pilots of the 35th PG were embarked on the Republic and thirty-nine newly graduated, but as yet unassigned pilots were on board the Holbrook. The presence of these planes and pilots would impact the destiny of the seaplane tender, USS Langley (AV-3), and the USS Edsall (DD-219). After war broke out on 07 Dec, and Japanese forces attacked the Philippines, the convoy was diverted first to Suva, Fiji Islands. Originally the convoy was bound for the Philippines to bolster their defenses.

The convoy got underway from Suva on the 16th bound for Brisbane, Australia. Pensacola entered the harbor at Brisbane on 22 Dec 1941 and moored at Newstead Wharf. On the afternoon of 28 Dec, Pensacola, along with transports Chaumont and USAT Willard A. Holbrook got underway.

On 2 Jan 1942, the Dutch ship MS Bloemfontein joined the convoy. The following morning (03 Jan 42) the convoy made passage through the Torres Strait above Cape York in far North Queensland, Australia. There they were joined by the heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) and several destroyers. Houston relieved Pensacola as the convoy heavy escort, and with her destroyers and convoy ships proceeded to Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. Pensacola returned to Brisbane.

Chaumont dropped anchor in Port Darwin where Piercy disembarked on 17 Jan 1942 and reported to the Commander, Destroyer Squadron 29 (CDS-29) on board the destroyer tender, USS Black Hawk (AD-9) for assignment. MM2 Piercy transferred to the destroyer, USS Peary (DD-226) later that day for further transfer to USS John D Ford (DD-228) for duty. He remained on board Peary. It is not known why Piercy did not report to the Ford as ordered, but it cost him his life. Ford survived WWII, but Peary did not!

Peary anchored at Port Darwin at 0840, 03 Jan 1942 after a 2100 mile plus transit from Manila, Philippines to Darwin, Australia. Within a week of arriving at Darwin, twenty-eight enlisted men and officers became ill with a virulent form of Malaria or Dengue Fever, contracted when the ship anchored off remote Maitara Island near Ternate in the Halmakeras. It was necessary to stop there to make repairs after being mistakenly identified as a Japanese ship by Australian aircraft who then attacked. Eventually eight men would die from the diseases.

Peary received tender availability services from USS Black Hawk (AD-9) to affect temporary repairs and make her battle ready and seaworthy. The Machinists Mates were especially busy. Those repairs were completed on 22 Jan 1942. Peary assumed submarine escort duties on numerous occasions. She was an anti-submarine escort for USS Langley (AV-3) from Darwin to Fremantle, Australia between 08-13 Feb 1942 and she steamed with USS Houston escorting a Darwin-Koepang convoy from 14 to 18 Feb 1942. She was also searching for a submarine contact which reduced her fuel supply such that she had to return to Port Darwin to refuel.

Peary returned to Port Darwin and anchored about 0100, 19 Feb 1942. About 1045, Port Darwin came under attack by a combined Japanese carrier and land base force of over 200 fighters and bombers. Peary was hit by five bombs. The fifth bomb, an incendiary, exploded in the after engine room opening the ship to the sea. Peary sank, stern first with her anti-aircraft guns still firing until the last enemy plane left the area.

Eighty-eight officers and men including the commanding officer were killed in her sinking; 57 survived, 20 of whom were wounded. MM2 Piercy was believed to have gone down with his ship. He was listed as missing in action on 19 Feb 1942. On 14 April 1942, the Piercy next of kin, received a telegram from the Navy Department. It read in part; "The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your brother, Machinist Mate Second Class, Ralph Delbert Piercy, US Navy, is missing following action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country."

The following year, The Piercy family received a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox, dated 17 March 1943. It read; "After a full review of all available information, I am reluctantly forced to the conclusion that your brother, Ralph Delbert Piercy, Machinist's Mate Second Class, U.S.N., is deceased, having been reported 'missing in action' on the 19th day of February 1942, being a member of the crew and serving aboard the U.S.S. PEARY when that vessel was sunk in the port of Darwin, Australia. In accordance with Section 5 of Public Law 490, 77th Congress, as amended, your brother's death is presumed to have occurred on the 20th of February 1943, which is the day following the day of expiration of an absence of twelve months. I extend to you my sincere sympathy in your great loss and hope you may find comfort in the knowledge that your brother gave his life for his Country, upholding the highest traditions of the Navy. The Navy shares in your sense of bereavement and will feel the loss of his service."

MM2 Piercy was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal, American Defense Service Medal w/Fleet Clasp (bronze star in lieu of clasp), China Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/Fleet Clasp and two bronze stars (one bronze star in lieu of clasp), and the WWII Victory Medal. He is eligible for the US Army Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Defense Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon (retroactively).

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MM2 Piercy's family also received a personal commemoration from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It reads: In grateful memory of Ralph Delbert PIERCY, who died in the service of his country at SEA, Asiatic Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. PEARY, 20 February 1943 (presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.

(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt,

President of the United States

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Citation of Units of Both Military and Naval Forces of the United States and Philippine Governments.

--489--

As authorized by Executive Order No. 9075 (sec. II, Bull. 11, W.D., 1942), a citation in the name of the President of the United States, as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction, is awarded to all units of both military and naval forces of the United States and Philippine Governments engaged in the defense of the Philippines since December 7, 1941. (Later, it was called the Army Presidential Unit Citation). By order of the Secretary of War:

G. C. MARSHALL,

Chief of Staff.

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Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation

Establishing Authority

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation was established by Headquarters, Philippine National Defense Forces, General Order Number 532 of September 14, 1946, as amended.

Acceptance by the United States

For service during World War II, acceptance is sanctioned by Public Law 80-314, which authorized the acceptance and wear of foreign decoration, medals, and awards in connection with services in World War II between the inclusive dates of December 7, 1941 and July 24, 1948.

Effective Dates

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation has been in effect since September 14, 1946.

• World War II

Service in the defense of the Philippines from December 7, 1941 to May 10, 1942.

Service in the liberation of the Philippines from October 17, 1944 to July 4, 1945.

All U.S. military units and naval vessels that earned any of the Philippine engagement stars are entitled to the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.

Certain submarines which maintained physical contact with guerrilla forces during the Japanese occupation of the Philippine Islands.

Online: https://rollofhonor.org/public/htmldetails.aspx?Cat=foreignaward&EntID=352

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Primary Sources:

1) Cox, Jeffery R., Rising Sun, Falling Skies, Osprey Publishing, UK, 2015.

2) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., In the Highest Degree Tragic, The Sacrifice of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the East Indies During World War II, Potomac Books, 2017.

3) Deck logs USS Peary retrieved 15 November 2021.

4) Northern Territory Library Roll of Honour: Browse location. www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au. Retrieved 20 November 2021. URL may not work.

5) Wikipedia page, USS Peary (DD-226), Retrieved 12 November 2021.

6) Wilde, E. Andrew, Jr. (Ed). U.S.S. Peary (DD-226) in World War II, Manila to Darwin, 12/10/41-2/19/42: Needham, Mass. : The Editor, 2007. http://destroyerhistory.org/assets/pdf/wilde/226Peary_wilde.pdf

7 Kehn, Donald M. Jr., A Blue Sea of Blood: deciphering the mysterious fate of the USS Edsall, Zenith Press, 2008.

8) Fold3 by Ancestry Navy Muster reports and Change reports

9) Ancestry.com Navy WWII muster and Change reports.

10) Winslow, W.G., The Fleet The Gods Forgot: The U.S. Asiatic Fleet In World War II, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland. 1982.

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Link to USS Peary memorial in Darwin, Australia with list of names of those lost in the sinking of the ship. It's a cenotaph.

https://www.maritimequest.com/misc_pages/monuments_memorials/uss_Peary_memorial.htm

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Bio sketch #433 compiled on 16 Sep 2023 by Gerry Lawton (G47).

Military Hall of Honor ID# 156866

Find a Grave Memorial ID: 259750152