Died On This Date - Feb. 26

Mason, Shirley Ardell
b. January 25, 1923 d. February 26, 1998Folk Figure. Her true identity largely unknown in life, after her death it was determined that Shirley Mason was the real name of 'Sybil Isabel Dorsett', who had sixteen separate personalities. The story of Sybil's life and treatment was published in a book and made into a movie in the 1970's. She remains one of the most famous multiple personalities, and has been called "the most famous psychiatric patient in history."

Gatling, Richard
b. September 12, 1818 d. February 26, 1903
Inventor. Born on the family plantation in Como, Hertford County, North Carolina. The son of a farmer and inventor, Gatling distinguished himself early in life as a successful inventor. At 21 he had invented the screw propeller for steamboats, only to discover that someone else had recently and independently patented it. He also invented a rice-sowing machine, a wheat drill, a hemp brake and a steam plow.

Yabes, Maximo
b. January 29, 1932 d. February 26, 1967
Viet Nam Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Served during the Viet Nam War in the United States Army as a First Sergeant in Company A, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery near Phu Hoa Dong, Republic of Vietnam, on February 26, 1967. His citation reads "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Sgt. Yabes distinguished himself with Company A, which was providing security.

Kimball, Eddie (Edwin Roberts)
b. October 25, 1903 d. February 26, 1990
During WWII, his air/sea rescue programs are credited with saving the lives of 9,000 Navy pilots. Physical fitness advisor to President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

von Wangelin, Hugo Aurelius
b. July 11, 1818 d. February 26, 1883
Von Wangelin was a Colonel in the 12th Missouri Infantry. He was awarded the brevet of brigadier general, USV, on March 13, 1865 for gallant & meritorious services during the Civil War. He lost his right arm at Ringgold Gap, Georgia on November 27, 1863.

Ludington, Sybil
b. April 5, 1761 d. February 26, 1839
US Revolutionary War Hero. Sybil Ludington was a typical 16 year old girl in 1777. She was putting the younger children to bed on the night of April 26, 1777, when word reached her house that the British were burning the town of Danbury, Connecticut, which was only 25 miles away. Her father was a colonel in the local militia. His men were scattered over a wide area around the Ludington house in Fredericksburg, New York (now Ludington).

George, Daniel Griffin
b. July 7, 1840 d. February 26, 1916
Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He was a prisoner of war. He served as a Ordinary Seaman in the Union Navy. His citation reads "George served on board the U.S. Picket Boat No. 1 in action, 27 October 1864, against the Confederate ram Albemarle, which had resisted repeated attacks by our steamers and had kept a large force of vessels employed in watching her. The picket boat, equipped with a spar torpedo, succeeded in passing the enemy pickets within 20 yards without being..

DeWitt, David Porter
b. July 10, 1817 d. February 26, 1889
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General.
Williams, Maj. William
b. December 6, 1796 d. February 26, 1874
Military Officer, Explorer and Author. Major William Williams, the founder of Fort Dodge, Iowa, was born Dec 6, 1796 in Greensburgh, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, and came to the Fort Dodge area in 1850 with the troops. As a military commander on the prairie, he led the rescue of many settlers who had fallen under attack by the Indians at Storm Lake, while a dreadful blizzard hindered their efforts. He remained in 1854 when the troops left, and founded the town.

Swanson, Jon E.
b. May 1, 1942 d. February 26, 1971
Viet Nam Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Swanson served as a Captain, United States Army, B Troop, 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. He was awarded his medal posthumously for service at Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia, on February 26, 1971. His citation reads-Captain Jon E. Swanson distinguished himself by acts of bravery on February 26, 1971, while flying an OH-6A aircraft in support of ARVN Task Force 333 in the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Moore, Marshall Frank
b. February 12, 1830 d. February 26, 1870
Civil War Union Brevet Major General, Washington Territorial Governor. Served in the Civil War first as Lieutenant Colonel of the 17th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, then as Colonel and commander of the 69th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On March 13, 1865 he was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers for "gallant and meritorious services during the war, and especially at the Battle of Jonesboro, Ga.", and Major General, US Volunteers for 'gallant and meritorious services during the war".

Calvert, James Spencer
b. 1850 d. February 26, 1929
Indian Wars Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Served during the Indian Wars as a Private in Company C, 5th United States Regular Infantry. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at Cedar Creek and other various places in Montana from October 1876 to January 1877. His citation simply reads "Gallantry in action". His Medal was issued on April 27, 1877.

Ingraham, Timothy
b. December 5, 1810 d. February 26, 1876
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. He first served as Captain and commander of Company L, 3rd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry during its three months service from April to July 1861. After his muster out of that unit, he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the 18th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, serving from July 1861 until discharged for promotion as Colonel and commander of the 38th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.

Maritz, William E.
b. November 10, 1928 d. February 26, 2001
Chairman of the Maritz Inc. company, which is headquartered in Fenton, Missouri. Established in 1894 by his grandfather, the company was originally known as E. Maritz Jewelry Manufacturing Company. When William joined the company in 1953, it was known as Maritz Sales Builders. The family-owned company is one of the nation's largest employee motivation companies & has also branched out into market research & travel. William Maritz was named the St. Louis Citizen of the Year in 1998.

Gile, George W.
b. January 25, 1830 d. February 26, 1896
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. Commissioned in the Civil War as a 1st Lieutenant in the 22nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was then commissioned in the 88th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, eventually becoming its Colonel and commander. He was severely wounded in the leg during the Battle of Antietam. Upon partial recovery of his injury he was commissioned into the Veterans Reserve Corps as Colonel and commander of the 9th VRC.

Varnum, Charles Albert
b. June 21, 1849 d. February 26, 1936
United States Army Officer, Indian Campaigns Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 7th United States Cavalry, during the Battle of the Little Big Horn. He was the last surviving officer from this battle. The son of John and Nancy Elizabeth Green Varnum; he resided in Dracut, Maine, until 1866, when the family moved to Florida. Entered the United States Military Academy in September 1868, from Florida.