Helias Doundoulakis

Helias “Louis” Doundoulakis (1923-2016) was born in Canton, Ohio, grew up in Crete, Greece, and returned to America in 1945 after serving in the United States Army and as a spy for the OSS — the Office of Strategic Services. He joined the Cretan resistance after the German invasion of the island, working directly under English Intelligence with the legendary saboteur and author Patrick Leigh Fermor. His friendship with Leigh Fermor would serve as a catalyst for his future role in the OSS. Armed with only a .32 cal. pistol and 150 gold sovereigns in a nylon belt, he landed on Greece's northern shores. After arriving in Thessaloniki (Salonica), he set up a phony business from a factory once owned by Greek Jews, sending messages to Cairo by a wireless radio he smuggled into Greece. Continuously hunted by the Germans, he fabricated stories and remained cool-headed, fooling the Germans and even the Greeks. "I was Trained to be a Spy," books I and II, "Trained to be an OSS Spy," and "My Unique Lifetime Association with Patrick Leigh Fermor" are his books chronicling the war years.

In his final book, the author shares the unknown story behind the inception of "The Arecibo Antenna" in his posthumously released memoir. The story behind the iconic radio telescope’s creation is unknown, a secret for all these years until now. First, follow the author as he demystifies the antenna from dreams to drawings and the timeline of its development. Then, read how his brother, George Doundoulakis, undertook its conception and fielding, from its fledgling beginnings to ultimate patent rights for his brother Helias, CIA director William J. Casey, and Gus Michalos. Finally, see the paths the inseparable Doundoulakis brothers took on their journey of courage, inspiration, and brilliance that advanced the science of radio astronomy and inspired generations of scientists for years to come.