Pottawattamie County

S/Sgt. Gus Doumis

MISSING

S. Sgt. Gus Doumis, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Doumis, 1120 Eighth avenue, is missing in action in the European area, the war department announced at Washington Saturday. S. Sgt. Doumis was an aerial gunner and was graduated from Abraham Lincoln high school in 1941.

Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Sunday, November 14, 1943 (photo included)

Words to Parents Scribbled on Paper

Word that their son is O. K., scribbled with a blunt pencil on prison writing paper, brought sunshine to the Gus Doumia home, 222 Twelfth avenue, over the weekend despite the gloomy Iowa weather.

Their son, S. Sgt. Gus Doumia, was reported missing in action Oct. 14 and listed as a prisoner of war of the German government the following months. This was the first message directly from him since early in October.

“I’m OK, mom. We play ball and read books for entertainment. Have plenty to eat, too.” The message continued, “We just take it easy and don’t have may work to do.”

Mrs. Doumia expressed a little doubt as to the truth of the message, “but we can hope,” she said.

Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Tuesday, March 28, 1944, Page 3