Died On This Date: Mar 18

McGee, William D.
d. March 18, 1945
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, he served in the United States Army during World War II as a Private First Class, United States Army Medical Detachment, 304th Infantry Regiment, 76th Infantry Division. On March 18, 1945, he was a medical aid man accompanying his unit during a night crossing of the Moselle River near Mulheim, Germany. Two soldiers of the advancing assault wave detonated mines on the east bank of the river.

Lau, Charlie
b. April 12, 1933 d. March 18, 1984
Major League Baseball Player. Also spelled "Charley." He was a catcher for eleven seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Athletics. His best year occured in 1964 when he had a season high 73 hits. In a career 527 games, Lau had 298 hits with a lifetime .255 batting average. After retiring as a player, Lau coached with the Orioles, Royals, Yankees and White Sox and was regarded as one of the best hitting instructors during the 1970's.

Phillips, John
b. August 30, 1935 d. March 18, 2001
Musician and Songwriter. He was the principal songwriter for the 1960s pop group, the Mamas and the Papas. He penned "California Dreaming" and other hits such as "I Saw Her Again Last Night" and "Creeque Alley." In 1966 the band won a Grammy for best contemporary group performance for the single "Monday, Monday." Phillips also wrote for other groups, including the Grateful Dead, the Beach Boys and Scott MacKenzie. Prior to entering the hospital, Phillips had completed work on a solo album.

Mathis, Jack Warren
b. September 25, 1921 d. March 18, 1943
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Mathis served as a First Lieutenant, United States Army Air Corps, 359th Bomber Squadron, 303d Bomber Group. He was awarded his medal posthumously for service Over Vegesack, Germany, on March 18, 1943. His citation reads-For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy over Vegesack, Germany, on 18 March 1943. 1st Lt. Mathis, as leading bombardier of his squadron, flying through intense.

Bulova, Arde
b. October 24, 1889 d. March 18, 1958
Watchmaker.

Keenan, John
b. 1833 d. March 18, 1906
Indian Wars Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Private, in Company B, 8th US Cavalry. During hostile Apache Indian marauding in Arizona Territory from August to October, 1868, Private Keenan was a member of a scout patrol tasked with responding to secure settlers property and livestock. During this period, he was frequently attacked, ambushed or sniped at from hidden ravines, but remained dedicated to his duties of around-the-clock security for the territory.

Olcott, Chauncey (Chancellor John)
b. July 21, 1858 d. March 18, 1932
American singer, songwriter, and stage star. Considered the quintessential Irish tenor, he was born in Buffalo, New York, and attended public and parochial schools there. After making his debut singing sentimental ballads on the stage of Buffalo's Academy of Music, he toured in minstrel shows, then appeared in Denman Thompson's "The Old Homestead" (a staple of touring theatre in those days) and made his New York debut with Lillian Russell's Opera Company in "Pepita."

Wilson, John Alfred
b. July 25, 1832 d. March 18, 1904
Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as Private in Company C, 21st Ohio Infantry and a member of the Andrews Raiders. In April 1862, he was one of the 22 men which included 2 civilians who penetrated nearly 200 miles south into Confederate enemy territory. There they captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Georgia in an attempt to destroy the bridges and track between Chattanooga and Atlanta. For bravery in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Hayden, David Ephraim
b. October 2, 1897 d. March 18, 1974
World War I Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Hayden served as a Hospital Apprentice First Class, United States Navy, serving with the 2d Battalion, 6th Regiment, United States Marine Corps. He was awarded his medal for service at Thiaucourt, France, on September 15, 1918, during World War I. His ciatation reads-For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. During the advance, when Cpl. Creed was mortally wounded while crossing an open field.

Earp, Morgan
b. April 24, 1851 d. March 18, 1882
U.S. Deputy Marshall best known for the gunfight with Ike Clanton's gang at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. Morgan Earp was born April 24, 1851 in Marian County, Iowa. The youngest of "Fighting Earps." His father moved the family, to San Bernardino, California in 1864. He married Luisa Houston in Dodge City in 1875. They lived in Butte, Montana until 1879. Morgan moved to Tombstone, Arizona in January 1880 and worked as a shotgun messenger for Wells Fargo.
Herndon, William H.
b. 1819 d. March 18, 1891
Abraham Lincoln's law partner before Lincoln became president.

Dunn, William
b. April 28, 1834 d. March 18, 1902
Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Quartermaster in the Union Navy on board the "USS Monadnock". He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery in action during several attacks on Fort Fisher, North Carolina on December 24 and 25, 1864, and 13, 14, and January 13 to 15, 1865. His citation reads "With his ship anchored well inshore to insure perfect range against the severe fire of rebel guns, Dunn continued his duties when the vessel was at anchor.

Howard, James Howell
b. April 8, 1913 d. March 18, 1995
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army Air Corps. He was awarded his medal for service over Oschersleben, Germany, on January 11, 1944, during World War II. His citation reads-For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Oschersleben, Germany, on 11 January 1944. On that day Col. Howard was the leader of a group of P51 aircraft providing support for a heavy bomber.

Bánky, Vilma
b. January 9, 1898 d. March 18, 1991
Actress. Born Konsics Bánky Vilma in Nagydorog near Budapest Hungary. Her father was a bureau chief under the Franz Josef Austro-Hungarian Empire. She was raised and educated in Budapest and had 2 younger siblings-a brother, Guyla and a sister, Agnes. Renown for her beauty and grace her friends suggested she take up acting. A Hungarian director, Bela Balogh, immediately cast her in "Im Letzten Augenblick" in 1920. She appeared in over 12 films before being discovered in 1925.