George J. Pearce
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
George J. Pearce of Virginia, Minnesota enlisted in the Navy on Jan. 18, 1942.
He was an Airship Rigger 2nd Class working as a lighter-than-air crewman on blimps in anti-submarine patrols in the South Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico and on convoy duty in the South Atlantic and Pacific.
He helped rescue seamen from a torpedoed tanker.
After attending anti-submarine school in Florida, he flew as a gunner and bombardier with Hedron 2, Detachment 23; and Blimp Squadrons 23, 21, 12 and 32.
Mr. Pearcs received the: Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
He was discharged on Oct. 13, 1945.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 241.
