Dick Postier was born in Oronoco, Olmsted County, Minnesota on January 7, 1920, to James C. Postier and Marguerite Fifield. He was the second child born and had an older sister, Virginia. When Virginia was two years old and Dick was only four weeks old, their mother died of influenza and bronchial pneumonia at the age of 21. The newspaper report refers to her as "estimable" or "worthy of great respect." As a result, Virginia and Dick were raised by their grandparents for most of their childhood. In 1925, a half brother, Robert, was born.
Dick and his sister Virginia in May of 1942
On December 30, 1941, Dick enlisted in the Air Corps at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota. He was the radio operator and waist gunner on the B-17 Rum Boogie. His radio call numbers were "AWB" on Rum Boogie III #42-30365 (one of five different Rum Boogie's the crew flew on). After completing 25 missions, he returned to the states and taught radio and Morse Code at Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
In June of 1941, Dick married his first wife, Ellen Green. Six months later in December, he enlisted in the Air Corps at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota. They had one son, Richard James Postier, Jr. who was born on August 19, 1943. In 1974, after 33 years of marriage, his wife Ellen died from cancer.
On October 25, 1975, he married Sheila, who currently survives him. They were married for 25 years and had
four daughters, Cindi, Lori, Melissa, and Alicia.
During the 1980's, Dick was very active in Rochester city government, including over 21 years on the City Council, serving as City Council President for 18 of those years. He was one of the original members of the 8th Air Force Historical Society of Minnesota, which started in 1982, and he served as President of that group in 1986 (below is a link to the group's history):
https://sites.google.com/site/8thafhsmn/pictures/a-history-of-the-8th-afhs-mn
He also owned and ran Land of Lakes Sporting Goods, which dealt in boats, motors, trailers, and snowmobiles.
A park was named after Dick for
his years of service to the city.
Dick (left) with fellow waist gunner Charles Goyette.
Dick visiting Charlie not long before Charlie died in 1987.
The Sanders crew was a very close knit group. When Alvin Neff (the tail gunner) died in 1991, Dick Postier made the trip from Minnesota to South Dakota to attend Al's funeral. Dick introduced himself to Al's son, Steve, and told him that one of the reasons he came to Al's funeral was to meet him (Steve). Steve will never forget that, and the entire Neff family still appreciates Dick's effort and dedication.
Al Neff (left) and Dick Postier in 1989 at Lake Zumbro, Minnesota after attending the 96th Bomb Group Reunion together.
Lake City, Minnesota on the Mississippi River
Dick Postier died on September 19, 2000, in Rochester. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester. His son died in 2006.
Mr. Postier's grandson, Troy. Following in his grandfather's footsteps, Troy served in the 335th fighter squadron during Desert Storm in Al Kharj Saudi Arabia.
