November 17, 1916 (Leominster, MA) – November 21, 1944; 28 years old
Married Virginia Hillock (1922-2001) on January 15, 1944 in Alexandria, Louisiana
One son Gary William (La Pointe) Dvonch born November 28, 1944, 7 days after Marcel died
Last local address: 39 Neptune Avenue, Norwalk
Service number: O-1822288
Unit: 84th Infantry Division, 335th Infantry Regiment
Born to Philippe “Philip” [born in Canada] (1877-1946) and Marie “Mary” J. LaPointe (1878-1960). Sister Yvonne M. LaPointe Kestenbaum (1913-1980) and brother Paul (1915-1983).
Norwalk High School Class of ‘35
Awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
From The Norwalk Hour December 18, 1944
LIEUTENANT WAS WITH TANK DIVISION
NEVER KNEW HE WAS THE FATHER OF A SON
Lieutenant Marcel Joseph La Pointe, son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip La Pointe of 39 Neptune Avenue, was killed in action in Germany on November 21 according to a telegram from the War Department received on December 11 by his wife, who resides with her mother in Long Beach, California. Lieutenant La Pointe, who went into the service with the National Guard about four years ago, was killed just one week before the birth of his son, Gary William, who was born in California on November 28. Mrs. La Pointe was Miss Virginia Ella Hillock of Iowa, and the couple’s wedding took place on January 15, 1944. Lieutenant La Pointe, who had been overseas since September, was with a tank unit. In this country, he had been stationed at Camp Blanding, Florida with the National Guard, and was later transferred to Camp Hood, Texas, and Camp Polk, Louisiana. He received his bars at the Officer’s School at Camp Hood in November 1942. He attended St. Joseph’s School and was a graduate of Norwalk High School. Before going away with the National Guard, he was with the Pitney-Bowes Company in Stamford. A brother, Lieutenant Armand Paul La Pointe who went into service before the Pearl Harbor incident, is with the Airborne Medical Corps in the Philippines where he has been for several months. He received his commission at Camp Barkeley, Texas, in February 1943. In civilian life, he was a salesman. Lieutenant Armand La Pointe visited his parents in January 1944, and Lieutenant Marcel La Pointe and his wife were guests here in May. Another survivor is the lieutenant’s sister, Mrs. Fred Kestenbaum of 9 Camp Street, the former Yvonne La Pointe.
Lt LaPointe is buried at Netherlands American Cemetery, Amerikaanse Begraafplaats 1, 6269 NA Margraten, Netherlands; Plot B, Row 1, Grave 11.
END
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