Robert Lewis Peirce (M)
b. 19 November 1935, d. 2 June 1981
Pedigree
Family_Line=C
Res_Rqrd=Y

     Robert Lewis Peirce was born on 19 November 1935 at Sibley Memorial Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, son of Arthur Henry Peirce and Elva Lucille Keith.^1,2,3 He attended Woodside Elementary School, Silver Spring, Maryland, from September 1941 to June 1948. The school no longer exists by that name.⁴ He attended Montgomery Hill Junior High School, Silver Spring, Maryland, from September 1948 to June 1951. The school no longer exists by that name.⁴ He attended Montgomery Blair High School, 313 East Wayne Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland, from September 1951 to June 1954. The school moved to a different address in 1998.⁴ He was employed in various jobs from November 1951 to October 1954 at Maryland. These included gas station attendant, driver and car lube person at gas stations, car dealerships and a pharmacy. Wages ran from $.75 to $1.25 per hour.⁴ Robert was enlisted in the US Navy Ready Reserve as a Seaman Recruit (SR) on 30 November 1953 at Headquarters, Potomac River Naval Command, Naval Gun Factory, Washington, District of Columbia. He was assigned to Naval Reserve Surface Division W-1 of the HQ, PRNC at the National Guard Armory, Silver Spring, Maryland.^5,2 Robert was promoted to Seaman Apprentice from Seaman Recruit on 29 August 1954 at Naval Reserve Surface Division W-1, National Guard Armory, Silver Spring, Maryland.⁶ Robert was transferred to the Naval Reserve Active Status Pool for further assignment to active duty on 11 January 1955. He volunteered on this date for 24 months of active duty. This was after a 13 month series of weekly naval reserve drills.⁷ Robert Lewis Peirce was also known as Robert Peirce US Naval Reserve.⁸ He was stationed aboard the USS Valley Forge (CVS-45) for five months starting in March 1955 at Norfolk, Virginia. Upon transfer from the Valley Forge he was assigned to Florida Group of the Alantic Reserve Fleet at Green Cove Springs, Florida.^5,8 Robert was promoted to the rank of Seaman on 1 June 1955 at Fleet Sub-Group One, Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Green Cove Springs, Florida. Fleet Subgroup One was part of the 'mothball' fleet. His service number was 465-04-23.² Robert was recommended for advancement and nominated for examination to the rate of Personnelman Third Class (PN3) on 22 September 1955 at Green Cove Springs.⁵ Robert was transferred to the Naval Hospital at NAS Jacksonville, Florida for treatment on 18 April 1956.⁹ Robert was transferred to the US Naval Hospital at Bethesda, Maryland for treatment and disposition on 3 May 1956.¹⁰ He (Svc No: 465 04 23) appeared on 16 August 1956 at before the Physical Evaluation Board, US Naval Hospital (NNMC), Bethesda, Maryland. He had arrived at the Naval Hospital on 5 May 1956 for a workup in the nuerosurgical department. He testified to the Board that his present symptoms were "daily headaches and difficulty in seeing with the left eye". He claimed these symptoms were the result of three falls, which knocked him unconcious, while in the Navy. He also has trouble with his memory and weakness on the right side of his body. If discharged from the Navy, he wants to go back to truck driving but that may not be wise. The Board decided that his diagnosis was encephalopathy and etiology and that he be found unfit to perform the duties of his rate. His disability was declared to be 50% and may be permanent in nature.⁸ Robert was changed in status from "on board for hospitalization" to "home awaiting final SecNav action on Physical Evaluation" on 20 August 1956 at US Naval Hospital (NNMC), Bethesda, Maryland.¹¹ Robert was released from active duty as a Seaman (Personnel Clerk) with the US Naval Reserve and placed on Temporary Disability Retirement (30 percent disability) on 1 October 1956 at Bethesda. On the DD-214 he was shown being married. According to daughter Leesa, the disability was the result of a shipboard fall. At the time of his retirement he was residing at 1302 Merrimack Drive (Apt #102), Hyattsville, MD.^12,2

Robert married Arlene Rose Prutzman, daughter of Ervin Prutzman and Rosalia Casterline, on 15 August 1958 at Silver Spring, Maryland. The marriage certificate states that both bride and groom are divorced of a previous marriage. Groom's occupation listed as 'expeditor'.¹³ He and Arlene Rose Prutzman lived at 2001 Oglethorpe Street, Hyattsville, Maryland 12 September 1958.¹⁴ Robert was transferred to the retired list by reason of permanent physical disability (30 percent) on 1 April 1961 at HQ Fifth Naval District, Norfolk, Virginia.¹⁵ He and Arlene Rose Prutzman lived at 7402 16th Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland from 1962 to 1988 with Leesa Melanie Peirce and Bruce Robert Slomovitz.¹⁶ He was a civilian for the Montgomery County, Maryland Police Department..^16,17 He died of a massive heart attack on 2 June 1981 at Takoma Park, Maryland, at age 45.^3,16 He was buried in the Parklawn Memorial Park located in Rockville, Maryland. The Peirce graves are at 39deg 3min 52.2sec North Latitude and 77deg 6min 24.8sec West Longitude.

Last Edited=11 Oct 2006