Died On This Date - January 24

Churchill, Sir. Winston
b. November 30, 1874 d. January 24, 1965
British Prime Minister. He led Great Britain through the Second World War and during the first two years while the country was the sole resistance to German Nazi dictator Adolph Hitler while enduring intense fire bombings by Nazi Air force planes. With the war near its end, he helped broker the peace agreements which led to the partitioning of Europe by Russia and the west and it was Churchill who coined the term 'iron curtain', referring to the demarcation between east and west Europe.

Fine, Larry
b. October 5, 1902 d. January 24, 1975
Comedian. He was the frizzy-haired star of the legendary comedy team the The Three Stooges. Upstaged by the team's angry leader Moe Howard and the scene-stealing Curly Howard, Larry was indeed the comic "glue" between the two. Yet comedian Jerry Seinfeld once said that Larry, like his father, "never did anything but it wasn't the same without him."

Hayes, Ira Hamilton
b. January 12, 1923 d. January 24, 1955
United States Marine. He was one of the Flag Raiser at Iwo Jima during World War II. A Pima Indian, he was born on the Gila River Reservation, the oldest of eight children. In August of 1942, at the age of 19, he quit school and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. On February 19, 1945 a large contingent of Marines landed on the island of Iwo Jima facing a substantial army of Japanese defenders who were well dug in and camouflaged.

Wilson, William G. 'Bill'
b. November 26, 1895 d. January 24, 1971
American businessman and visionary, best known as a co-founder of the mutual-help group Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Together with Dr. Bob Smith, Wilson founded AA as a safe haven for those who suffered from alcoholism, and in so doing created one of the landmark organizations of modern times, which in the past 70 years has touched countless millions of lives. His wife, Lois Burnham Wilson, founded Al-Anon, a support group dedicated to the needs of the friends and families of alcoholics.

Nicholas, Fayard
b. October 20, 1914 d. January 24, 2006Dancer, Entertainer. Fayard and his brother Harold comprised the tap dancing team, The Nicholas Brothers. As children, they performed at the Cotton Club. Their dancing style was one of elegance combined with phenomenal athletic ability. One of their signature moves was to dance down a huge flight of broad stairs, leapfrogging over each other and landing in a complete split on each step.

Keese Jr., Oliver
b. July 9, 1830 d. January 24, 1889
Civil War Union Army Officer. He served during the Civil War as Colonel and commanding officer of the 118th New York Volunteer Infantry.

Cukor, George
b. July 7, 1899 d. January 24, 1983
Director. Born George Dewey Cukor in New York City to Hungarian immigrant parents, Victor F. and Helen Gross Cukor. He was graduated from De Witt Clinton High School in 1916, and spent a year with the Students Army Training Corps. He then obtained a job as an assistant stage manager for a Chicago theater company. After three years, he formed his own stock company in Rochester, New York in 1920, and worked there for seven years.

McCandless, Bruce
b. August 11, 1911 d. January 24, 1968World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He was a Rear Admiral in the US Navy. He was awarded the Medal of Honor as a Commander on the USS San Francisco for action at Iron Bottom Sound, off Savo Island, Solomon Islands. His citation reads "For conspicuous gallantry and exceptionally distinguished service above and beyond the call of duty as communication officer of the USS San Francisco in combat with the Japanese forces in the battle off Savo Island, 12-13 November 1942.

Parrish, Laverne
b. July 16, 1918 d. January 24, 1945
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. Served as a Technician 4th Grade, U.S. Army Medical Detachment, 161st Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. In the early hours of the January 24, 1945 his company, crossing an open field near San Manuel, Luzon, Philippine Islands encountered intense enemy fire. Ordered to withdraw to the cover, Technician Parrish observed two wounded still in the field and in two successive trips brought both men to safety.

Marshall, Thurgood
b. July 2, 1908 d. January 24, 1993
United States Supreme Court Justice. In addition to being a Supreme Court Justice, he was a leading Civil Rights leader. In 1938, as an attorney, Marshall became a special assistant to the NAACP. Marshall represented clients with civil rights cases all over the United States. He won thirty-two out of thirty-five cases taken to the Supreme Court. His reputation spread throughout the United States for his outstanding work.

Nelon, Rex
b. January 19, 1932 d. January 24, 2000
Rex Nelon gospel bass singer for the Rex Nelon singers and the Nelons and also part of the Gaither Homecoming concerts.

Brown, Uriah H.
b. July 4, 1841 d. January 24, 1927Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Private in the Union Army in Company G, 30th Ohio Infantry. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on May 22, 1863 at Vicksburg, Mississippi. His citation reads "Despite the death of his captain at his side during the assault, he continued carrying his log to the defense ditch. While he was laying his log in place he was shot down and thrown into the water.

Wass, Ansel Dyer
b. November 12, 1832 d. January 24, 1889
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. Commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the 6th Massachusetts Militia at the start of the Civil War. He was subsequently commissioned Lieutenant Colonel first of the 19th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, then the 41st Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Finally, he became Colonel and commander of the 60th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, which was a 100-day enlistment militia regiment.

Gilbert, Alfred Carlton
b. February 15, 1884 d. January 24, 1961
A. C. Gilbert is best known as the inventor of the Erector Set. Aside from being an inventor, he had many other impressive achievements throughout his life. He was a gold medal winning pole vaulter at the 1908 Olympics in London and is credited with creating the modern pole vaulter's "box." Gilbert was well known as an outdoorsman and big game hunter. While a medical student at Yale University, he came to be known as an accomplished magician.