RICHARD L. PIERSON, LT, USN

Richard Pierson '65

Date of birth: November 19, 1942

Date of death: November 12, 1973

Age: 30

Lucky Bag

From the 1965 Lucky Bag:

RICHARD LINNELL PIERSON

Duluth, Minnesota

Hailing from Duluth, Dick made his first journey to the East when he came to USNA in '61, after completing a year at the University of Minnesota at Duluth. The year of college made Plebe year academics a snap, and he continued to excel during the following years, as evidenced by his continuous appearance on the Superintendent's List. Any afternoon in the fall and spring, Dick could be found out on the Severn rowing with the varsity lightweight crew team; numerous canoe trips of years past in the North Woods may have contributed to his ability as an oarsman. During the winter months he spent his afternoons in the squash courts. After graduating from the Academy, Dick hopes to draw his flight suit and parachute in Pensacola and embark upon a career in Naval Aviation. The winning personality and professional competence which he showed here will undoubtedly carry him far in his chosen profession, and' the best wishes of his classmates will follow him wherever he goes.

RICHARD LINNELL PIERSON

Duluth, Minnesota

Hailing from Duluth, Dick made his first journey to the East when he came to USNA in '61, after completing a year at the University of Minnesota at Duluth. The year of college made Plebe year academics a snap, and he continued to excel during the following years, as evidenced by his continuous appearance on the Superintendent's List. Any afternoon in the fall and spring, Dick could be found out on the Severn rowing with the varsity lightweight crew team; numerous canoe trips of years past in the North Woods may have contributed to his ability as an oarsman. During the winter months he spent his afternoons in the squash courts. After graduating from the Academy, Dick hopes to draw his flight suit and parachute in Pensacola and embark upon a career in Naval Aviation. The winning personality and professional competence which he showed here will undoubtedly carry him far in his chosen profession, and' the best wishes of his classmates will follow him wherever he goes.

Loss

Dick was lost on November 12, 1973 when his A-7 Corsair II crashed while operating from USS Midway (CV 41) near Japan. He was survived by his widow, Hope Pierson, and their two children. (Information on children from April 1974 issue of Shipmate.)

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Richard graduated from East High School in 1960. “For his abilities, they acclaimed him.” Activities: Greyhound 3; H. R. Vice-president 2, 4; Debate Club 2; Student Council 3; Study Club 3; Birch Log 4; Athletics Editor 4; Isaac Walton Club 4, secretary 4; East Cheer Boosters 4; Safety Committee 4; Class Announcements Committee, 4.
His parents were Lloyd Wendell and Fay Mildred (nee Stephenson) Pierson. Richard was born in Koochiching County, Minnesota. He married Hope Johnson on June 21, 1965, in St. Louis.