Earl S. Piper

Earl Sanford Piper (February 14, 1905 – July 7, 1979) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. A veteran of the Nicaraguan Campaign, Piper distinguished himself under fire and received the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat. He later participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Chinese Civil War.

Early life

Earl S. Piper was born on February 14, 1904, in New London, Missouri, as the son of Harry M. and Mary R. Piper. Following the graduation from high school in summer 1923, he received appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, where he was active in the soccer and basketball teams and also served on the staff of the Lucky Bag. Piper graduated with a bachelor's degree in June 1927 and was commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on that date.

Navy Cross citation Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Second Lieutenant Earl Sanford Piper (MCSN: 0-4260), United States Marine Corps, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as acting commander of a patrol of the Second Brigade, U.S. Marine Corps, during an engagement with bandits at Pena Blanca, Nicaragua on 13 May 1928. During an attack by bandits, and after the commanding officer, the late Captain Robert S. Hunter, U.S. Marine Corps, had been mortally wounded, Second Lieutenant Piper assumed the command of the force and by his display of bravery, coolness and leadership so conducted the engagement that the attacks of the numerically superior and well armed bandit force were repulsed. The bandits finally were dispersed and driven off.