Albert Pierson, 99, a Major General who retired in 1959 as inspector general of the Army, died of respiratory failure February 22, 1999 at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C.

General Pierson left college in 1918 to begin his military career during World War I. In World War II, he was Assistant Commander of the 11th Airborne Division, and he led his men in combat operations in New Guinea and the Philippines. Upon Japan's capitulation in 1945, his troops were among the first to arrive in Japan for occupation duty.

His career also included three years as Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army in the Far East and two years as director of the Joint Airborne Troop Board and Army member of the Joint Air Transportation Board and Joint Tactical Support Board. From 1951 to 1953, Gen. Pierson was Chief of the U.S. Military Advisory Group to the Philippines.

In 1961, after more than 40 years of military service, General Pierson returned to college and graduated from George Washington University, where he later received a master's degree in business administration.

He did management consulting for Jessup & Co. management consultants.

He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and attended Cornell University.

During the 1920s, he was a company officer in Puerto Rico and the Panama Canal Zone, then taught military science at Cornell and served at Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, Washington and the Philippines. He attended the Army War College and the Command and General Staff School.

Post-World War II service included logistics assignments and command of an area that included five Army posts in Hawaii.

His military decorations included a Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star and Air Medal. 

His wife of 63 years, Helen Margaret Silsbee Pierson, died in 1989. Survivors include a daughter, Sallie Pierson Cauchon of Falls Church; five grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

On Monday, February 22, 1999, MAJOR GENERAL ALBERT PIERSON, husband of the late Helen S. Pierson; father of Sallie P. Cauchon; grandfather of Albert P.C. Hulley, Paul J.C. Hulley, Margaret S. Cronin, Katherine J. Hulley and Robert E. Hulley. He is also survived by 15 great grandchildren. Services will be held at Fort Myer Chapel on Thursday, March 11, at 1 p.m. Interment Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Army Emergency Relief, HDQTS-AER, 200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22332.

PIERSON, ALBERT
MAJ GEN  US ARMY
WORLD WAR I, WORLD WAR II, KOREA
DATE OF BIRTH: 07/10/1899
DATE OF DEATH: 02/22/1999
BURIED AT: SECTION 59  SITE 397
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

PIERSON, HELEN S
DATE OF BIRTH: 06/02/1902
DATE OF DEATH: 02/02/1989
BURIED AT: SECTION 59  SITE 397
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
 WIFE OF PIERSON, ALBERT
MAJ GEN US ARMY

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