Pvt. Profeda Dies in Action
Pvt. Lou Profeda, 26, former Omaha university football player, was killed in action in New Guinea, November 26, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Profeda, 924 Avenue I.
Drafted into the army last January 7, Profeda had last been heard from on November 8 when his parents received a letter telling them he was stationed in New Guinea.
A star athlete at Abraham Lincoln high school, from here he was graduated in 1937, Profeda captained the football team as a fullback in1936. He was also a member of the wrestling team as a 165-pounder.
He was a regular end on the Omaha university football teams through the seasons of 1938, 1939 & 1940.
He is survived by his parents; two brothers, Joe of Council Bluffs and Phil of Camp Wallace, Tex.; and a sister, Mrs. Rse Jenks of Council Bluffs.
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Tuesday, December 01, 1942, Page 5
RETURN BODIES OF FOUR COUNTY MEN
110 Iowa War Dead in Pacific Shipment
Bodies of four Pottawattamie county soldiers, including Pfc. Louis A. Profeda, former Abraham Lincoln high school football captain, are being returned from the Pacific aboard the army transport Lieutenant George W. G. Boyce, the department of the army announced Monday.
Others from this county are Pfc. Francis Dale Bird of Council Bluffs, Pfc. Clarence R. King of Carson and Pfc. Herman E. Staub of Avoca.
A total of 110 Iowa bodies are on the Boyce, which is carrying remains of 4,459 Americans who lost their lives in the Pacific campaigns. The ship is enroute to San Francisco from Manila.
Killed in New Guinea
Profeda, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Profeda, 923 Avenue I, was killed in action on New Guinea on Nov. 22, 1942, less than a year after he entered the army. He was 26 years old. An all-southwest Iowa football selection at Abraham Lincoln, he captained the 1936 team. He played both fullback and tackle. He was also an outstanding wrestler, hold the Intercity 165-pound crown.
After graduation from A. L. in 1937, he attended Omaha university for three years, was a varsity end on the football team there. He worked on the railroad prior to his army entrance on Jan. 7, 1942. Profeda took basic training in infantry at Camp Roberts, Calif.
Beem-Belford funeral home will handle the Profeda services here. Surviving besides the parents are two brothers, Phil and Joe; and a sister, Mrs. Rose Jenks, all of Council Bluffs.
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Sunday, May 30, 1948, Page 3
Louis A. Profeda was born Sept. 12, 1916 to Anthony and Mary Profeda. He died Nov. 22, 1942 and is buried in Saint Joseph Cemetery, Council Bluffs, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
