Died On This Date - January 25

Gardner, Ava Lavinia
b. December 24, 1922 d. January 25, 1990Actress. Born in a small town in North Carolina, after traveling to Virginia with her family for part of her childhood, she returned to the area to enjoy her teen years. After seeing a photo taken by her brother-in-law, who was a professional photographer, her looks caught the attention of MGM scouts and she was signed in 1940 to a contract with the studio. Initially her roles were very small and her salary equally paltry, but soon her talent proved her to be one of the most formidable leading.lady.

Capone, Alphonse 'Al'
b. January 17, 1899 d. January 25, 1947
Organized Crime Figure, Chicago Gangster. Probably the best know of the 1920s gangsters, he controlled Chicago until brought down by FBI Agent Elliott Ness. Ness later wrote a book "The Untouchables" which detailed his efforts to jail Capone. Capone was the largest of the racketeers, and captured the American public's imagination as few ever did. Born Alphonse Capone in Brooklyn, New York, of Italian immigrant parents, Gabriele and Teresina Capone, the fourth of nine children.

Wedemeyer, Herman
b. May 20, 1924 d. January 25, 1999
Actor, politician, sportman. Best remembered for his roles as 'Edward D. 'Duk' Lukela' and 'Officer Ishi' on the television series, "Hawaii Five-O' from 1972 to 1980. Among his other roles was in the film, "The Hawaiians" (1970), as a fire chief, and appearances on television's "Magnum, P.I." Born in Hilo, Hawaii, on May 20, 1924, he also played football as a halfback/tailback for the Los Angeles Dons in 1948, the Baltimore Colts in 1949, of the All-America Football Conference.

Bois, Frank E.
b. September 13, 1841 d. January 25, 1920
Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. Entered the service at Northampton, Massachusetts at age 18 on June 21, 1861 and served in Co. C, 10th Massachusetts Infantry. He was mustered out of the Army on September 30, 1862 by virtue of a transfer to the Navy as Quartermaster, Signalman. On May 27, 1863 he was on board the U.S.S. Cincinnati during the attack on the Confederate batteries at Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Thompson, William Fawcett
b. September 8, 1894 d. January 25, 1974
Character actor who appeared in numerous westerns movies and TV shows. Best remembered for his role on the 1950's TV series Fury, as Pete. Cause of death: circulation complications.

Fairchild, Harrison Stiles
b. August 4, 1820 d. January 25, 1901
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. Before the war he was a banker and served as an officer in the "Rochester Light Guards," a part of the New York Militia. In 1861, the Governor of New York State, J. S. Dickenson, appointed him Colonel in command of the 89th Infantry Regiment, New York Volunteers. He served with the 89th the entire Civil War with Major General Ambrose Burnside in North Carolina and during the Peninsular Campaign, participating in the battles of South Mountain, and Antietam

Sladen, Joseph Alton
b. April 9, 1841 d. January 25, 1911
Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Major in the Union Army. He was awarded the Medal of Honor as a Private in Company A, 33rd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry for action on May 14, 1864 at Resaca, Georgia. His citation reads "While detailed as clerk at headquarters, voluntarily engaged in action at a critical moment and personal example inspired the troops to repel the enemy."

McGonnigle, Andrew Jackson
b. March 4, 1829 d. January 25, 1901
Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Colonel in the Union Army. He was awarded the Medal of Honor as a Captain for action on October 19, 1864 at Cedar Creek, Virginia. His citation reads "While acting as chief quartermaster of Gen. Sheridan's forces operating in the Shenandoah Valley, McGonnigle was severely wounded while voluntarily leading a brigade of infantry and was commended for the greatest galantry by Gen. Sheridan."

Peterson, Ray
b. April 23, 1939 d. January 25, 2005Rock Singer. A native of Denton, Texas, Peterson was a Teen Idol of the 1960s who had hits with such memorable songs as "Tell Laura I Love Her," "Corrina, Corinna," "The Wonder Of You," and "Answer Me," among others. Peterson who retired from recording music in the late 1960s, later became a talented songwriter for other artists, especially throughout the 1970s. Also during the 1980s and 1990s he often did the odd concert or two for fans.

Huber, William Russell
b. July 16, 1902 d. January 25, 1982
Medal of Honor Recipient. A native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Huber served as a Machinist's Mate, in the United States Navy. He was awarded his medal for service while on board the U.S.S. Bruce at the Naval Station Shipyard, in Norfolk, Virginia, on June 11, 1928. His citation reads: For display of extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession on 11 June 1928, after a boiler accident on the U.S.S. Bruce, then at the Naval Shipyard, Norfolk, Va.

Garrett, Thomas
b. August 21, 1789 d. January 25, 1871
Social Reformer. He served as one of the "Station Masters" on the Underground Railroad during the mid-1800's. Along with Harriet Tubman, he was responsible for the escape of hundreds of slaves to freedom. In 1848, Thomas Garrett and a fellow abolitionist John Hunn were tried and convicted in the New Castle Delaware Courthouse by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney for aiding in the escape of the Hawkins family, who had been slaves in Maryland. Both men were given considerable fines.

Kersey, Ron (Tyrone G.)
b. April 7, 1949 d. January 25, 2005
R&B/Soul Singer. A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kersey was the keyboardist of the musical group, "The Trammps." The group formed in 1973 in Philadelphia and were together until the group disbanded in 1980. Originally known as "The Volcanoes," in the 1960s the band went through many changes and members before changing there name. The group recorded several songs including, 'Sixty Minute Man,' 'Rubber Band,' 'Hold Back The Night,' 'Benguin At The Big Apple,' 'Scruboard,' 'Tom's Song,'

Moran (Malone), Polly
b. June 28, 1883 d. January 25, 1952
American film actress with a long career spanning from 1915 to 1950.

Smith, Joseph Sewall
b. November 27, 1836 d. January 25, 1919
Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He was serving as Lieutenant Colonel and Commissary of Subsistence, in the 2nd Army Corps, at Hatchers Run, Virginia, on October 27, 1864, when he earned his Medal. His citation reads: Led a part of a brigade, saved 2 pieces of artillery, captured a flag, and secured a number of prisoners. His Medal was awarded on May 25, 1892.

Small, Edward
b. February 1, 1891 d. January 25, 1977
Motion Picture Producer. A former actor and talent agent, he began producing films in 1924. He formed Reliance Pictures in 1932 and Edward Small Productions in 1938. Working with moderate budgets and talent borrowed from other studios, he oversaw a number of commercially successful films, including "I Cover the Waterfront" (1933), "The Count of Monte Cristo" (1934), "The Man in the Iron Mask" (1939), "Raw Deal" (1948), and "Kansas City Confidential" (1952).

Moore, Colleen
b. August 19, 1900 d. January 25, 1988
Kathleen Morrison, known to millions as Colleen Moore, was the spirited brunette gamine of the silent era, one of Hollywood's leading stars of the mid and late 1920s. With her trademark short haircut and a pixie's high energy, Moore was a signature star of her era, summing up an entire generation of ambitious, smart and fun-loving flappers in films including "Ella Cinders" (1926), "Irene" (1926) and "Orchids and Ermine" (1928).