Died On This Date - Feb. 24

Knotts, Don
b. July 21, 1924 d. February 24, 2006
Actor, Comedian. Born Jesse Donald Knotts in Morgantown, West Virginia, he is best known for his roles as 'Deputy Barney Fife' in the 1960s television series the "Andy Griffith Show," and as landlord 'Ralph Furley' from the late 1970s television situation comedy series "Three's Company." He began his career as a ventriloquist and comedian in his local hometown of Morgantown. Following an unsuccessful career launch in New York, he returned home to attend West Virginia University.

Fulton, Robert
b. November 14, 1765 d. February 24, 1815
Inventor, Artist. While not the inventor of the steamboat, he was very instrumental in constructing a steamboat named the "Clermont",and parlaying it into a commercial success with the first permanent commercial route in history on the Hudson River. Chancellor Robert R. Livingston backed the venture with his financial and political influence.

Weaver, Dennis (William)
b. June 4, 1924 d. February 24, 2006
Actor. As a struggling actor his big break came in 1955 with a $300 per week job as Chester in the television western series "Gunsmoke;" at the end of his nine years with "Gunsmoke," he was earning $9,000 a week and had won an Emmy for the 1958 to 1959 season. In 1966, CBS had him with a 600-pound American black bear in "Gentle Ben" which lasted two years. From 1970 to 1977 starred as New Mexico deputy sherrif Sam McCloud in the TV series McCloud.

Shore, Dinah
b. February 29, 1916 d. February 24, 1994
Singer, actress, television hostess. Fondly remembered for her long career on stage, screen, TV, and radio. Dinah Shore's 55 years in show business included more than 70 hit recordings..."Dear Hearts and Gentle People" "Buttons and Bows" "Blues in the Night" "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" "I'll Walk Alone" and "I Wish I didn't Love You So." She had a Peabody Award, 10 Emmy Awards with 3 stars on the Hollywood Walk.

Houck, Herbert Norman
b. 1915 d. February 24, 2002
World War II US Navy Aviator. A native of Minnesota, he joined the Navy in 1936, earned his flying wings and was commissioned an Ensign fighter pilot. During World War II, he served on several aircraft carriers in the Pacific and became an ace shooting down six Japanese planes. Serving on the USS Yorktown, as Lieutenant Commander and lead fighter pilot flying FM-6 Hellcat fighters, he led the first mass strike by carrier based aircraft on Tokyo on February 16, 1945.

Egan, Thomas Wilberforce
b. June 14, 1834 d. February 24, 1887
Civil War Union Brigadier General. He enlisted in the 40th New York Volunteer Infantry (the "Mozart Regiment") in April 1861, and was commissioned it's Lieutenant Colonel on July 1. At The Battle of Seven Pines in the Peninsula Campaign he put his Colonel in arrest for misconduct, displayed conspicuous gallantry, and was commissioned Colonel as of the date of his superior's dismissal from the service.

Wilbanks, Hilliard Almond
b. July 26, 1933 d. February 24, 1967
Viet Nam Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. As a forward air controller Capt. Wilbanks was pilot of an unarmed, light aircraft flying visual reconnaissance ahead of a South Vietnam Army Ranger Battalion. His intensive search revealed a well concealed and numerically superior hostile force poised to ambush the advancing rangers.