Johanna Gostas POW/MIA papers, 1963-2020

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Gostas, Johanna
Title
Johanna Gostas POW/MIA papers
Dates
1963-2020 (inclusive)
Quantity
3.70 cubic ft. (9 boxes) + 3.48 GB
Collection Number
05497
Summary
This collection contans materials related to Johanna Gostas' work in POW/MIA issues and her husband's, Theodore "Ted" W. Gostas, experiences as a POW during the Vietnam War.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Johanna Gostas, of Sheridan, Wyoming, was the Wyoming coordinator for the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia. Her husband, U.S. Army Major Theodore W. Gostas, was taken prisoner by the North Vietnamese during the Tet Offensive in February, 1968, and was released in March, 1973, following the signing of the Paris peace agreement in January, 1973. Johanna Gostas worked with national and state POW/MIA groups from 1968 to 1973, and was a National League of Families representative to a 1971 conference on prisoner of war treatment held in Geneva, Switzerland.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Collection contains correspondence, news releases, pamphlets, bumper stickers, newspaper clippings, and printed materials from various state and national groups related to Gostas' work on POW/MIA issues; correspondence from other POW wives and families; posters depicting Wyoming POWs; materials related to the Geneva conference; notes and drafts; miscellaneous memorabilia; and an oral history interview with Theodore "Ted" W. Gostas regarding his experiences in the military and as a POW in the Vietnam War.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Restrictions on Use

Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in Collections

The American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.

Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Johanna Gostas at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

This material was received from Johanna Gostas in 1974 and Theodore "Ted" W. Gostas in 2023.

Processing Note

The collection was processed by Brittany Heye in September 2023 and updated by Jamie J. Greene in November 2024.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 American Legion undated
7 “American Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia, 1971: Hearings Before the Subcommittee on National Security Policy and Scientific Developments” April 1971
8 Art: Drawings by Theodore "Ted" Gostas 2003-2020
1 Cares for POW/MIA (other states) 1970-1972; undated
1 Cares for POW/MIA (Wyoming) 1970-1972; undated
7 “Communist Treatment of Prisoners of War: A Historical Survey” Booklet 1972
1 Concerns for Prisoners of War, Inc. 1971; undated
1 Congressional Material 1969-1971
4 Correspondence 1969-1972
1 Disabled American Veterans 1970; undated
7 “Don’t Let Them Be Forgotten- POWs-MIAs” by Wyoming Cares Bumper Sticker undated
7 “Don’t Let Them Be Forgotten- POWs-MIAs” Mini Bumper Sticker undated
7 “Don’t Let Them Be Forgotten- POWs-MIAs” Bumper Sticker undated
7 "Don't You Let 1600 American Prisoners of War & Missing In Action Be Forgotten" Address Stickers undated
7 “Do You Remember Them? American Prisoners & Missing in S.E.A.” flyer undated
7 "Federal Benefits…for Veterans and Dependents" booklet March 1971
1 Forgotten Americans Committee 1971-1972; undated
1 Form Letters undated
7 "Hearing on Problems of Prisoners of War and their Families" booklet 1970
7 "Have A Heart Hanoi" Stickers undated
9 Have you Forgotten Them? How Can You Help?" Poster undated
7 "Help 1700 Men POW's-MIA's" Bumper Sticker undated
2 International Red Cross 1963-1972
7 Mail Campaign Addresses undated
8 Mail Campaign Instruction Sheet undated
2 Mailing Lists undated
2 Miscellaneous undated
8 Miscellaneous Mail Campaign Items undated
8 Miscellaneous Stickers undated
8 "Mother and Father and a Empty Mailbox" Postcard undated
2 National Committee for Responsible Patriotism undated
5-6 National League of Families of American Prisoners & Missing in Southeast Asia 1970-1973
8-9 Newspapers 1970-1972; undated
8 and Digital ahcdm_05497_001 Oral History: Theodore "Ted" Gostas (audio and transcripts) November 6, 2020
8 “Our Prisoners Need Your Help! Free Them From Red Barbarism” pamphlets undated
2 Petitions 1970-1971; undated
8 POW-MIA Campaign Buttons undated
3 POW/MIA International 1971-1973; undated
3 POW/MIA Material on Major T. Gostas 1970-1971
3 POW/MIA Schloarship Material 1971-1972; undated
8 “POW * MIA You Are Not Forgotten” Bumper Sticker undated
8 "POWs Never Have A Nice Day" Bumper Stickers undated
8 "Pray for Our P.O.W.'s" Forgotten Americans Committee Bumper Sticker undated
3 Returned POW/MIA Material 1973-1974; undated
3 Rescue Line undated
3 United We Stand undated
3 Voices in Vital America 1971-1973
3 Veterans of Foreign Wars 1970-1971
8 "Welcome Home POWs" Viva-Voices in Vital America Bumper Sticker undated
8 Wyoming Cares POW-MIA Pamphlet undated
8 "Wyoming's 9 POWs/MIAs- Don't Leave Us!" Pamphlet undated
9 "Wyoming's 10 POWs/MIAs- Don't Leave Us" Posters undated
8 “You Can Help 1500 American POW’s- MIA’s- Write Your Personal Concern for them to-“ Address Stickers undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Political activists -- Wyoming.
  • Prisoners of war -- Family relationships.
  • Prisoners of war -- United States.
  • Prisoners of war -- Vietnam.
  • Prisoners of war -- Wyoming.
  • Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Prisoners and prisons, North Vietnamese.

Personal Names

  • Gostas, Theodore William.
  • Gostas, Theodore, 1938-

Corporate Names

  • Conference of Government Experts on the Reaffirmation and Development of International Humanitarian Law Applicable in Armed Conflicts.
  • National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia.
  • Wyoming Cares POW-MIA.

Geographical Names

  • Sheridan (Wyo.) -- History.
  • Wyoming -- History -- 1946-1999.

Occupations

  • Political activists.