Fred R. Pierce (October 22, 1899 - May 6, 1983)

Associate Justice, October 1961 - December 1962

Presiding Justice, December 1962 - September 1971

Born in Sacramento, October 22, 1899, Fred Pierce served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve before commencing his studies at Stanford University and the University of Washington. He studied law in the office of Steven W. Downey and was admitted to the California Bar in 1923. Pierce worked as an attorney with the State Reclamation Board from 1923 to 1927. He served in both World Wars, enlisting in the Marines during World War I, and volunteering for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Pierce was beachmaster at the landing at Okinawa in 1945. After his discharge as Lieutenant Commander, Pierce returned to the practice of law and was appointed to the Superior Court of Sacramento County in 1959, and then to the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, in 1961. He became the presiding justice one year later in 1962. Justice Pierce retired in September 1971. He died in Sacramento May 6, 1983.