went with them. Genet was separated from his unit for three days, it was feared that he had been killed in the fighting and his death was reported in several papers. Other papers only reported him missing. Genet was proud of being an American, sought the company of his countrymen and for a while flew the Stars and Stripes on top of his tent. In many of his letters home, he wrote about his love for his country. He wrote of his excitement about the upcoming July 4 celebrations. Lafayette Escadrille Genet finally got his wish of flying. After a year in the Legion and over eight months of applying, he was accepted to aviation school to become a pilot. He started school on 5 June 1916 and completed his training on 17 January 1917. During this time he promoted to corporal. He joined the Lafayette Escadrille on 22 January 1917. Within a few days, Genet received his own Nieuport 21 fighter to use on his first mission on 29 January. He was promoted to sergeant on 10 March, after completing over 20 sorties. Genet was with the last American flyer to be killed before America entered the war. On 19 March, Genet and James Rogers McConnell were flying over enemy lines near Verdun when they encountered two German aircraft. They each attacked an aircraft and both pilots became separated. Genet was wounded by a bullet that hit his cheek and his plane was badly damaged. McConnell's body and his aircraft were found a few days later by advancing French soldiers. Genet received the Croix de Guerre for this action. Genet was a talented drawer and painter, covering the Escadrille mess hall with his scenes of aerial combat. One wall was filled with the Indian head that became a symbol of the Escadrille. Death Genet died on 17 April 1917 in France; he was 20 years old and had flown 37 sorties. On 16 April, he had flown a mission in the morning and came back feeling ill. He had been encouraged not to fly again that day as was scheduled but he was insistent and took off at 12:45pm. Genet and his wingman were to fly towards St Quentin at an altitude of . Gervais Raoul Lufbery, one of the first members of the squadron and an ace pilot, flew as Genet's wingman. Because of low-cloud, they descended, which