He grew up in Traer, Iowa,[1] going on to attend Grinnell College and the US Military Academy at West Point, New York.

He became athletic director at West Point for a short time in the early 1890s, managing the first Army football team.

[4] At the first organizational meeting in December 1905, he emphasized the importance of "home rule", which allowed any institutions that joined the NCAA to still keep their independence.

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.

General Pierce's zeal, intelligence, and effective work in the preliminary organization of our industries for war contributed substantially to the progress made.

His sound judgment, marked ability, and skillful leadership were important factors in the successes attained by his division against the enemy.