Palmer E. Pierce

Palmer Eddy Pierce (October 23, 1865 – January 17, 1940) was a United States Army brigadier general who commanded the 54th Infantry Regiment on the Western Front of World War I. He was the first president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Early life and education Palmer E. Pierce was born in Savanna, Illinois, to Henry C. Pierce and Laura Shepard. He was the second of three brothers. He grew up in Traer, Iowa,

In the later half of 1917 to the early part of 1918, Pierce served as commander of the 27th Infantry Division and the 54th Infantry Brigade. While he was under British command, he was ordered to the Battle of Bellecourt; there the Australians provided invaluable supplies and lessons, including hot meals to the front lines, given the lack of supplies on the front line. In late 1918, he became the Assistant Chief of Staff of the AEF. He was promoted to brigadier general and earned two Army Distinguished Service Medal and the British Order of the Bath for his actions as the commander of the respective formations. The citation for his Army DSM reads:

Death and legacy After retiring from the Army, Pierce became an assistant to the President of the Standard Oil Company. He died in New York City on January 17, 1940.

His widow, Agnes Young Pierce (1870-1961), left a bequest of $1 million to the Association of Graduates of West Point, which was used to establish the Palmer E. Pierce Memorial Fund.