Died On This Date - January 26

Robinson, Edward (Emanuel Goldenberg) G.
b. December 12, 1893 d. January 26, 1973
Actor. He had a strong screen presence and is remembered for his roles as gangsters, which set standards for future tough guy actors. He attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts then began appearing in summer stock after he changed his name to Edward G. Robinson. He debuted on stage in 1915 and became a noted stage actor for many years before becoming a motion picture actor. The 1931 film "Little Cesar" brought him to the attention of the American public and his popularity increased.

Bryant, Paul 'Bear'
b. September 11, 1913 d. January 26, 1983
College Football Coach. He retired as the winningest coach of all time (323-85 -17 record). Coached at four colleges over 38 years, but was known best for leading the University of Alabama to six national titles (1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979). He also recorded 15 bowl wins, including eight Sugar Bowls.

McGuire, Al
b. September 7, 1928 d. January 26, 2001
Professional Basketball Player, Coach. He captained the 1951 University of St. John's team that went 26-5 and finished 3rd in the National Invitational Tournament. Following college he played professional ball with the National Basketball Assocatiaon New York Knicks and Baltimore Bullets. But his biggest impact was as the coach of Marquette University's basketball team from 1964 to 1977 capping off his last year by winning the NCAA championship. He later did color commentary for NBC and CBS.

Finney, William Wood
b. May 16, 1829 d. January 26, 1910
Pony Express Co-Founder, Civil War Confederate Army Officer. Born at "Prospect Hill." Graduated Virginia Military Institute. Served as assistant principal of Warrenton Male Academy in North Carolina until 1850 when he went west for gold. He took up engineering and surveyed for the railroad in Vera Cruz, Mexico. In 1858 he returned to the United States and with Major B.F. Ficklin developed what became the Pony Express.

Ferrer, Jose
b. January 8, 1909 d. January 26, 1992
Oscar-winning actor (Cyrano de Bergerac-1952). Married to actress Uta Hagen and singer Rosemary Clooney. Father of actor Miguel Ferrer; uncle to actor George Clooney.

Moore, Grace
b. December 5, 1898 d. January 26, 1947
Opera Singer and actress. It is claimed that Elvis' Graceland mansion was named after her.

Wrigley Jr., William
b. September 30, 1861 d. January 26, 1932
Industrialist, Entrepreneur. The Philadelphia born youngster was put to work in his father's soap factory after being expelled from grammar school doing menial labor. At age thirteen William left home and sold his father's soap door-to-door from a two horse wagon in rural Pennsylvania, New York and New England. After years of giving away free gum with purchases of soap and realizing that gum was the customers preference, he went into the gum manufacturing in Chicago.

Harrison, Bolden Reush
b. April 26, 1886 d. January 26, 1952
Action against Outlaws in the Philippines Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a seaman in the United States Navy. His citation reads "While attached to the USS Pampang, Harrison was one of a shore party moving in to capture Mundang, on the island of Basilan, P.I., 24 September 1911. Harrison instantly responded to the calls for help when the advance scout party investigating a group of nipa huts close to the trail was suddenly taken under point-blank fire.

Oyler, Raymond Francis 'Ray'
b. August 4, 1938 d. January 26, 1981
Professional Baseball Player. Oyler was born on August 4, 1938, in Indianapolis, Indiana. At 5'11", and 165lbs, he made his major league debut on April 18, 1965. He was signed by the Detroit Tigers as a free agent in 1960. Oyler played for the Detroit Tigers from 1965 to 1968, Seattle Pilots in 1969, and the California Angels in 1970.

Schroeder, Henry Frank
b. December 7, 1874 d. January 26, 1959
Philippine Insurrection Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Sergeant in Company L, 16th US Infantry. On September 14, 1900, Sergeant Schroeder's company was in actions at Carig, Philippine Islands. With only 22 men, he defeated 400 insurgents, killing 36 and wounding 90. For distinguished service in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on March 10, 1902 and later achivied the rank of Major.

Doubleday, Abner
b. June 26, 1819 d. January 26, 1893
Civil War Union Major General. Known more for the myth that he invented Modern Baseball than for his accomplishments as a Union General. He took over the I Corps at Gettysburg after Gen. John Reynolds was killed, and held the Federal left during much of the first day of battle. Although his troops were eventually pushed back to Cemetery Hill in retreat, he held the Confederates off long enough to allow substantial amounts of the Union Army come on the scene of the battle.

Lucania, Salvatore 'Lucky Luciano'
b. November 24, 1897 d. January 26, 1962
Mafia Figure. Died of a heart attack at the Naples, Italy airport.

Davila, Rudolph B.
b. April 27, 1916 d. January 26, 2002
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the Medal of Honor 56 years after he prevented a 130-man American rife company from being slaughtered in a German ambush in Italy during World War II. His citation reads "Staff Sergeant Rudolph B. Davila distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action, on 28 May 1944, near Artena, Italy. During the offensive which broke through the German mountain strongholds surrounding the Anzio beachhead.