Title: Wilbur W. Pierce
Dates: ca. 1940s-1997
Collection Number: MSS 11278
Quantity: 1.25 feet
Abstract: Oral history with Doris and Wilbur W. Pierce conducted by son Fil Pierce (two DVDs) about growing up in North Dakota in the 1920s-1930s and serving with the North Dakota National Guard during World War II, Pierce's military papers, newsletters, a mailing list, and reunion materials for the 188th Field Artillery (ca. 1970-1997), 177th Field Artillery reunion materials (1977), and photographs.
Provenance: The collection was donated to the Museum Division of the State Historical Society of North Dakota by Fil Pierce, son of Wilbur W. Pierce, on August 6, 2015. It was transferred to the State Archives on November 6, 2015.
Property Rights: The State Historical Society of North Dakota owns the property rights to this collection.
Copyrights: Copyrights to this collection remain with the donor, publisher, author, or author's heirs. Researchers should consult the 1976 Copyright Act, Public Law 94‑553, Title 17, U.S. Code or an archivist at this repository if clarification of copyright requirements is needed.
Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Citation: Researchers are requested to cite the collection title, collection number, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota in all footnote and bibliographic references.
Transfer: News clippings about the Cowboy Hall of Fame were transferred to the State Archive General Information File.
Related collections: Museum PAR 2015074.0 (artifacts).
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Wilbur Willard Pierce was born to Willard and Mabel (Roundy) Pierce on February 4, 1914 on the family farm near Buchanan (N.D.). Lt. Colonel Pierce joined the North Dakota National Guard in 1932 and served with the 188th Field Artillery in World War II. He saw action in the Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe and Normandy, and was in combat on Utah Beach on D-Day (June 6, 1944). He subsequently served in the National Guard reserves in Seattle (Washington). He married Doris Nellie (Ackley) Pierce. Pierce died in Issaquah, King County, Washington on November 6, 1997.
BOX / FOLDER INVENTORY
Box 1:
1 Oral history with Doris and Wilbur W. Pierce conducted by son Fil Pierce about growing up in North Dakota in the 1920s-1930s and serving with the North Dakota National Guard during World War II, (two DVDs), ca. 1990-1997 (11278-00013, 11278-00014)
2 188th Field Artillery newsletters, mailing list, and reunion materials, ca. 1970-1997
3 Military papers (correspondence, memoranda, record of military service, printed photograph of Battery D of the 188th Field Artillery, discharge papers and certificates of service, newsletters from Battery "B" 188th Field Artillery Battalion, and a booklet for the maneuver "Exercise Long Horn"), 1940s-1951
4 Miscellaneous (correspondence, 1980 newsletter from the 957 Field Artillery Battalion Association, 1977 reunion of the 177th Field Artillery material), 1977-1996
Box 2: Photographs of Pierce and fellow servicemen, 1940s
11278-00001 Portrait of Wilbur and Doris Nellie (Ackley) Pierce, ca. 1945
11278-00002 Snapshot of Wilbur Pierce in uniform, ca. 1945
11278-00003 Snapshot of Wilbur Pierce in uniform with wife Doris and two children, ca. 1945
11278-00004-00007 Snapshots of Wilbur Pierce in uniform, ca. 1945
11278-00008 Snapshot of Wilbur Pierce in uniform with his two children, ca. 1945
11278-00009-00010 Snapshots of Wilbur Pierce in uniform, ca. 1945
11278-00011 Troops in field, ca. 1940s (RESEARCH USE ONLY) (Fort Lewis Sentinel photograph)
11278-00012 Troops serving a meal (RESEARCH USE ONLY) (Fort Lewis Sentinel photograph)
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