Died On This Date - Feb. 15

Cole, Nat King
b. March 17, 1919 d. February 15, 1965
Singer and Actor. He is best remembered for his 28 gold records, including "Sweet Lorraine", "Ramblin' Rose", and "Mona Lisa." He also appeared in 28 films and television stories, usually playing himself, including "Cat Ballou" (1965), and "Breakfast in Hollywood" (1943). Born Nathaniel Adams Coles in Montgomery, Alabama, he received music lessons from his mother. His family moved to Chicago when he was 5, where his father, Rev. Edward James Coles, was minister at the True Light Baptist Church.

Merman (Zimmerman), Ethel (Ethel Agnes)
b. January 16, 1908 d. February 15, 1984
Entertainer. One of the most celebrated performers of the Broadway Musical stage. Her loud, brash singing style made her an overnight sensation when she belted out "I Got Rhythm" in the 1930 production of Girl Crazy. Among her most notable Broadway performances were Anything Goes, Panama Hattie, Call Me Madam, Gypsy, Hello Dolly and "Annie Get Your Gun" in which she sang her signature song, "There's No Business Like Show Business."

Burt, James Montross
b. July 18, 1917 d. February 15, 2006
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. A native of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, he entered service in Lee, Massachusetts. He served as a Captain in the United States Army, Company B, 66th Armored Regiment, 2d Armored Division. He was awarded his medal for action near Wurselen, Germany, on October 13, 1944. His citation reads-Citation: Capt. James M. Burt was in command of Company B, 66th Armored Regiment on the western outskirts of Wurselen, Germany, on 13 October 1944, when his…

Willett, Louis E.
b. June 19, 1945 d. February 15, 1967
Viet Nam Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Killed in action in Vietnam. Medal of Honor Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Willett distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman in Company C, during combat operations. His squad was conducting a security sweep when it made contact with a large enemy force.

Ramsay, Douglas
b. 1945 d. February 15, 1961
US Junior Figure Skating champion. He was the US men's 4th place skating alternate for the Worlds Figure Skating Championship in 1961. He was a member of the 1961 US Figure Skating Team who perished on their way to the 1961 Worlds Figure Skating Championship in Prague, Czechoslovakia. He made the trip because the Bronze medal winner, Tim Brown, could not participate due to health reasons.

Pierce, Dallas 'Larry'
b. 1937 d. February 15, 1961
1961 US Figure Skating Dance Champion. He was with his skating partner of only a few months, Diane Sherbloom, due to the fact that his regular partner broke her ankle. Larry started skating at 17 and was the winner of over 13 awards at the time of his death. He perished with the entire US Figure Skating Team in a plane.

Kelley, Gregory Eric
b. 1944 d. February 15, 1961
1961 US Men's Silver Medallist and North American Bronze Medallist. He was a former US Junior men's champion. He was a member of the Broadmoor Skating Club and was traveling with his US Figure Skating teammates to the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague when the plane crashed killing all on board.

Hickox, William Holmes
b. March 28, 1942 d. February 15, 1961
Figure skater and Air Force Cadet. Brother and pairs skating partner of Laurie Hickox. They won the 1960 National Junior Pairs figure skating championships and third place at the 1961 National pairs figure skating championships. Member of the 1961 U.S. World Figure Skating Team.

Michelson, Rhode Lee
b. 1943 d. February 15, 1961
Figure Skater. She won the US Nationals Ladies Novice Championship in 1958. She placed third for the 1959 US Junior Ladies Championship, and in 1960, she placed second in the US Junior Ladies Championship. In 1961, she was the US Ladies Senior Bronze Medalist, and member of the World Figure Skating Team. She was killed on February 15, 1961, along with the entier US World Figure Skating Team when their plane crashed..

Sullivan, Patrick Peter
b. February 2, 1885 d. February 15, 1933
Animator, Illustrator, Film Producer. Real name Patrick O'Sullivan. A native of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, he is best known for his work with Otto Mesmer, and as producer of the first animated silent cartoons of Felix The Cat. Educated at the Art Society of New South Wales, Sullivan worked at various jobs including as a gatekeeper at the famed Toohey's Brewery in Surry Hills, Australia, while doing his first caricaturist assignments.

Richards, Dudley
b. February 4, 1932 d. February 15, 1961
Figure Skater. Partner of Maribel Yerxa Owen. Member of the 1960 Olympic team and the 1961 World Figure Skating team. The entire 1961 US Figure Skating Team, including coaches, family members, and crew perished as their plane crashed while enroute to the Worlds Figure Skating Championship in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

Owen, Maribel Yerxa
b. April 25, 1940 d. February 15, 1961Maribel Y. Owen was the oldest daughter of 9-time US National Ladies champion Maribel Vinson Owen and 1929 Canadian Junior Men's champion Guy Owen. Maribel was the US National pairs champion with her partner Dudley Richards.

Stevenson, McLean
b. November 14, 1927 d. February 15, 1996
Character Actor, Comedy Writer. He was born Edgar McLean Stevenson in the Illinois area known as the twin cities, Normal-Bloomigton to a father who was a cardiologist. His extended family was a provider of famous politicians to the American scene. While attending Bloomington High School he was active in sports however there was never any indication of an acting career.

Creek, Thomas Elbert
b. April 7, 1950 d. February 15, 1969
Viet Nam Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. Served in the United States Marine Corps during the War in Viet Nam as a Lance Corporal in Company I, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division (Rein), FMF. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery Near Cam Lo, Republic of Vietnam, on February 13, 1969. His citation reads "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman with Company 1 in action against enemy.

Evans, Ray
b. February 4, 1915 d. February 15, 2007
Songwriter. In the 1930s, he teamed up with composer Jay Livingston and together were considered among Hollywood's greatest songwriters. The team wrote 26 songs that reportedly sold more than 1 million copies each. He was awarded best song Academy Award Oscars for "Buttons and Bows" (1948), "Mona Lisa" (1950) and "Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)" (1956). Evans earned four other Oscar nominations for "The Cat and the Canary" (1945), "Tammy" (1957), "Almost in Your Arms" (1958).

Sherbloom, Diane Carol
b. September 21, 1942 d. February 15, 1961
Ice Dancer. She won the 1961 national Ice Dancing championshps with her partner Larry Pierce, and was a member of the 1961 US World Figure Skating Team. All team members, coaches, family, and crew perished as their plane crashed while enroute to the Worlds Figure Skating Championship in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

Goldin, Theodore W.B.
b. July 25, 1858 d. February 15, 1935
Indian Campaigns Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Private in the United States Army in Troop G, 7th US Calvary. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on June 26, 1876 at Little Big Horn, Montana. His citation reads "One of a party of volunteers who, under a heavy fire from the Indians, went for and brought water to the wounded."

Pierce, Gilbert Ashville
b. January 11, 1839 d. February 15, 1901
US Senator, US Diplomat. Served as a Colonel in the Union Army during the Civil War. Served as a United States Senator from North Dakota from 1889 to 1891. Also served as a Member of the Indiana State House of Representatives from 1868 to 1869, and United States Minister to Portugal in 1893.

Owen, Laurence Rochon
b. May 9, 1944 d. February 15, 1961
Olympic Athlete. In 1961, she won both the United States and North American Ladies Figure Skating championships. She was considered America's hope for gold at the 1964 Winter Olympics. Daughter of 1929 Canadian Junior Men's champion Guy Owen and 9-time US National champion Maribel Vinson Owen.