Lance A. Pousette

First Lieut. Lance A. Pousette, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Pousette of Cooperstown, has been reported missing in action over France, according to a war department message received by his parents. Lieut. Pousette was pilot of a fighter plane, a Thunderbolt P47B, a single seater, and has been in combat over Europe for about three months. He had seen action over several European countries including Germany, Holland, Belgium and France. He was a member of the Eighth AAF Fighter group and had been stationed in England, where he was assistant operations officer of his unit.

The war department message contained little information except disclosing the bare fact that he was missing. The wire, signed by Adjutant General Ulio, is as follows. The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your son, First Lieut. Lance A. Pousette, has been reported missing in action since January 7 over France. If further details or other information are received you will be notified promptly.

LETTER WRITTEN JANUARY 6

Friday Mr. and Mrs. Pousette received a letter from their son written January 6, the day before his last mission. In it he told them not to worry about his welfare, that he was getting along splendidly.

The war department message does not disclose actual facts of Lieut. Pousette's death, and their remains the possibility that he might have parachute to safety or made a crash landing and may be a prisoner of war.

He was born in Cooperstown March 1, 1920, and grew up on the farm of his parents in Greenfield Township. He graduated from Hannaford High School and attended NDAC three years. He had been employed on the Lanny Ross Dairy farm at Stanfordville, N.Y., prior to his enlistment in Julyu 1 941. He received his wings as a combat pilot and was commissioned second lieutenant at Craig Field, near Selma, Ala., November 10, 1942.

He is buried in Lot 35, Union Church Cemetery, Hannaford, ND.