Edward W. Bloms

Mr. and Mrs. William Bloms, Minot, were notified by the war department Monday that their son, Private Edward Bloms, 30, serving with the 85th "Custer" division in Italy, had been killed in action September 17th.

The News' "In Service" column yesterday reported that Private Bloms, one of five brothers in service, who recently was cited by his regiment and awarded the Combat Infantry badge for participation in combat.

Born June 22, 1914, in Muskego Township, Renville County, near Foxholm, where his parents homesteaded, Edward Bloms was educated in Carpio and employed on his father's farm until he came to Minot shortly before he enlisted.

He entered the Army, July 20, 1942, and was stationed at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. His last visit at home was in July, 1943, before he was sent overseas in September 1943, first to Africa and later to Italy.

He was a member of the Catholic church.

Besides his parents, there are five brothers and two sisters. The brothers are Corp. Raymond B. Bloms, recuperating in Italy from wounds received last June in action; Pvt. Joe Bloms, Camp Van Dorn, Miss., Pft. Leonard J. Bloms, Camp Gruber, Okla., Sgt. Arnold Bloms, serving in the European theater, and Alex, at Glenburn. The two sisters, Florence and Irene, are at home in Minot.

Two of Private Bloms' cousins, Sgt. Ralph J. Bloms and Pfc. Fred W. Bloms, sons of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Bloms, Minot, are with American troops in France.

He is buried in the Soldiers Plot, Grave 59, Section 12, Rose Hill Cemetery, Minot, North Dakota.