Number From Area Included On Missing Lists; Safety of Some Subsequently Reported.
“Missing in action.”
Official notifications from the war and navy departments, bearing this saddening information about a loved one, have come to a number of homes in this area since the Pearl Harbor attack back in the waning days of 1941.
For some relatives, this opening sentence was followed by happier information in the course of time. For others, where no further details have been received, only the hope will come, revealing the safety of a loved one.
For, in a number of cases, some of the men who were reported as missing in action were later reported to have rejoined their combat units, or rescued by comrades. Others, subsequent messages related, were being held prisoners by enemy countries and have communicated with relatives.
Others, about whom their commanders have had no additional information to relate, have, after an interval, been declared officially to have been killed in action.
And, for the parents and relatives of some, the suspense of waiting has continued month after month, as they clung to the hope that no news may be good news and that some day, soon if possible, a message may clear, reporting that the absent member is alive and well.
From official lists issued at intervals, augmented in instances by information obtained from relatives and friends, the following information relative to those from this area who have been reported missing in action was obtained.
Lt. David Humke of Dubuque, formerly an instructor in mathematics and assistant coach at West Liberty high school, was reported missing in action in the European theater of war since July 28, according to word received by friends at West Liberty.’’
Lt. Humke’s wife, the former Ann Helscher, who was formerly instructor in dramatics at West Liberty high, returned to the faculty there this fall. Lt. Humke, about 23, was serving with the U. S. Army Air Corps.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, December 30, 1943
LIST OF MISSING IN ACTION GREW IN 1944
Among those from this area who have been listed as missing in action in official dispatches to next of kin, and upon casualty lists of the armed services, are:
LT. DAVID HUMKE—Formerly of West Liberty but later of Dubuque, Lt. David Humke was reported as missing in action since July 28, 1943, according to word received by friends. He was serving with the U. S. army air corps.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, Friday, December 29, 1944
1st Lt. Humke served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps 337th Bomber Squadron, 96th Bomber Grou, Heavy and was MIA/KIA near the German coast. He was awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart. He is buried in Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre, Belgium.
Source: abmc.gov
