He attended Thomas A. Edison High School and the University of Maryland. He was a life member of his Masonic Lodge and was also a Scottish Rite Mason and a Member of the Alzafar Shrine.
During his military service, he entered active duty with HQ, 36th Infantry Division in November 1940, and served in various assignments including the Normandy invasion in June 1944. After completing thirty years of service, Colonel Pierce retired while a member of NATO, in Heidelberg, Germany.
Among his decorations and awards are the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge and the National Defense Service Medal.
Colonel Pierce is survived by his wife, Joy; two sons, Daniel T. Pierce, Jr. and wife, Debbie of Parker, CO; David M. Pierce and wife, Lana of Englewood, CO; daughter, Marian Frances Haskins of Shreveport, LA; stepsons, James R. Harvey, II and wife, June of Chesapeake, VA; Christopher Wollard and wife, Kim of Las Cruces, NM; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence Bigelow Pierce, his parents, and all five sisters and brothers.
