Commander Henry P. Pierce IV graduated high school in Suffolk, Virginia. Subsequent to his 1990-1991 Navy enlistment and successful completion of the Navy’s Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST) in San Diego, California, Commander Pierce became a graduate from Hampton University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.
Afloat, Commander Pierce completed his tour as Operations Officer in USS AMERICA (LHA 6) from June 2018 to 2019 that included flawless first time success in all warfare areas and certifications throughout the entire training cycle, highly successful large deck homeport shift to FDNF, and various operations in C3F and C7F AORs. Previous sea duty includes his Executive Officer Special Mission tour as the C5I Officer in USS KEARSARGE (LHD-3) from March 2009 to March 2011; completing highly successful maintenance and training phase resulting in deployment to C6F and C5F AORs in support of numerous maritime and humanitarian operations. He completed his second department head tour as N5/Anti-Terrorism Force Protection Officer, MIO/VBSS Officer and Mine Warfare Officer for COMDESRON TWO from January 2006 to May 2007. During his tour, DESRON TWO completed ENTERPRISE STIKE GROUP’s deployment to C6F, C5F, and C7F in support of Operations Iraqi/Enduring Freedom, Global War on Terrorism, Operation SEA DRAGON III, and Exercise SHARK HUNT 06. Upon completion of Surface Warfare Department Head School in 2004, he served as the Engineer Officer from June 2004 to December 2005 for MHC CREW AGGRESSIVE, serving in USS OSPREY (MHC 51) and USS Pelican (MHC 53), both home ported in Ingleside, TX, and USS Cardinal (MHC 60), forward deployed in the Arabian Gulf. As Deck Department’s First Division Officer in USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) from January 2000 to June 2001, home ported Yokosuka, Japan, Commander Pierce completed his first overseas assignment, deploying twice throughout C7F in support of numerous Maritime Operations to include EXERCISE FOAL EAGLE with the Republic of Korea, and Exercise COBRA GOLD with the Royal Thai Armed Services. His initial sea assignment upon completion of Surface Warfare Division Officer School was in USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44) as the Electronic Materials Officer from November 1997 to November 1999. During his tour, GUNSTON HALL completed a Mediterranean Cruise in support of Operations SHINING HOPE, JOINT GAURDIAN, NOBLE AVIL, AVID RESPONSE and Exercise ATLAS HINGE.
Ashore, Commander Pierce served as the Officer in Charge for the Center for Surface combat Systems Detachment East in Norfolk, VA from April 2015 until June 2018. Commander Pierce joined Commander Navy Region Japan and served as Executive Officer for U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia from March 2014 to April 2015. He earned a Master's Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies at the U.S. Naval War College’s College of Naval Warfare in Newport, Rhode in March 2014. Commander Pierce joined Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA) and served as the Executive Officer for Naval Station Newport from September 2011 to December 2012. Commander Pierce served as the Deputy Operation and Current Operations Officer on Commander Expeditionary Strike Group Two (ESG-2) Staff in Norfolk, Virginia from June 2007 to January 2009.
While forward deployed to C5F, Commander Pierce played a vital role in ESG-2’s roles as Commander, Task Force FIVE ONE (CTF 51), Commander, Task Force FIVE NINE (CTF 59), Commander Task Force ONE FIVE EIGHT (CTF 158), simultaneous coordination of Expeditionary Strike Groups in support of Operations Iraqi/Enduring Freedom, Northern Arabian Gulf Shallow Water Operations, and various Maritime Operations from the Red Sea to the Arabian Gulf. Prior to attending the Surface Warfare Officer School Department Head Course, he served as Deputy Program Manager, Port Operations for Commander, Navy Region Southwest (CNRSW) in San Diego, California from June 2001 to September 2003. Before attending the Surface Warfare Division Officer School, Commander Pierce was a student Naval Aviator, completing Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API) and Aviation Survival Training in Pensacola, Florida in August 1996 and was assigned as a Student Naval Aviator at VT-27 Training Squadron in Corpus Christi, Texas from August 1996 to March 1997.
CDR Pierce’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), the Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medal (three awards), and Navy and Marine achievement Medal (three awards), as well as various unit citations, service and campaign awards.