Died On This Date: Mar 21

Awdry, Rev. Wilbert Vere
b. June 15, 1911 d. March 21, 1997
Author. He was the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, a popular character in children's fiction. Awdry originally invented the stories as a way of entertaining his young son Christopher as he recovered from scarlet fever. The first book of the series, "The Three Railway Engines", was published in 1945.

Pocahontas
b. 1595 d. March 21, 1617
Native American Colonial Figure. She was most likely born in Werawocomoco (what is now Wicomico, Gloucester County, Virginia) on the north side of the Pamaunkee (York) River, about 1595-96, a daughter of the Chief over some forty Algonkian Indian villages that were spread about the shores of the rivers now called the James and the York, which flow into Chesapeake Bay. Her father called Powhatan after his chief village named her Meto-aka and later "Pocahontas", meaning "Playful little Girl".

John of Brienne
b. 1148 d. March 21, 1237
Crusader.

Preston, Robert
b. June 8, 1918 d. March 21, 1987
American Actor. A versatile, trained musician who could play several instruments, around the age of 15 he became set on a career in theatre. He trained at the Pasadena Playhouse and began getting second-lead work in films (“Union Pacific” and “Beau Geste” [both 1939], “North West Mounted Police” [1940], “Wake Island” and “This Gun for Hire” [both 1942]). The less-than-rewarding roles soon convinced Preston to head for New York, where the stage could make better use of his charisma.

Sousley, Franklin Runyon
b. September 19, 1925 d. March 21, 1945
World War II United States Marine, Iwo Jima Flag Raiser. He served during World War II as a Private in the United States Marine Corps, and was assigned to E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division during the Battle for Iwo Jima. He was one of the six men who were immortalized in Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal's photo of the United States Flag raising on Mount Suribachi, just after noon on February 23, 1945, for which Rosenthal was awarded the Pulitzer.

Fort, Cornelia Clark
b. February 5, 1919 d. March 21, 1943
Aviation Pioneer. Cornelia Fort was the daughter of a prominent East Nashville doctor. Her father made her brothers swear that they would never fly, but he overlooked Cornelia. She first soloed on April 27, 1940, and received her pilot's license on June 19, 1940 and her instructors rating March 10, 1941. Cornelia was Nashville's first woman flight instructor. Cornelia was giving a flying lesson over Honolulu, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941 and witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese.

Redgrave, Michael
b. March 20, 1908 d. March 21, 1985
Renowned British-born motion picture and stage actor. He is remembered for his films "The Lady Vanishes" (1938), "Secret Beyond the Door" (1948), "Mr. Arkadin" (1955), "The Quiet American" (1958), "The Innocents" (1961), and "Nicholas and Alexandra" (1971). He was the father of Corin, Lynn and Vanessa Redgrave and was Knighted in 1959. Redgrave was cremated at Mortlake Crematorium in London, England. His ashes were later removed and buried at St. Pauls Church, Covent Garden.

Medwick, Joe
b. November 24, 1911 d. March 21, 1975
Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Player. He played for the Saint Louis Cardinals.

Younger, Cole
b. January 15, 1844 d. March 21, 1916
Post Civil War Outlaw. Today, Cole Younger's days of outlawry evokes romance and even chivalry in American folklore. However, the romantic, loveable character portrayed is far from the truth. Cole was instead a heartless cold blooded murderer of not only peace officers and bank tellers but women and children. Cole first killed at 17, was wanted dead or alive at 18 and is credited with killing dozens including innocent bystanders. He was born near Lee's Summit as Thomas Coleman Younger.

Fender, Leo (Clarence Leonidas)
b. August 10, 1909 d. March 21, 1991
Guitar maker and innovator. Born Clarence Leonidas Fender in Fullerton, California. As a boy, Fender became interested in electronics and began dismantling and repairing radios. In 1938, he opened Fender Radio Service in Fullerton. In 1946, he started the Fender Electric Instrument Company. Fender became the first to design and successfully market a solid body electric guitar with his Broadcaster in 1948. His design was renamed the Telecaster in 1950.

Hallock, Nathan Mullock
b. August 23, 1844 d. March 21, 1903
Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Served in the Civil War as a Private in Company K, 124th New York Volunteer Infantry. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at Bristoe Station, Virginia on June 15, 1863. His citation reads "At imminent peril saved from death or capture a disabled officer of his company by carrying him under a hot musketry fire, to a place of safety". His Medal was awarded to him on September 10, 1897. He was one of five 124th New York soldiers to be awarded.

Crook, George
b. September 8, 1830 d. March 21, 1890
Civil War Union Major General. Noted for his valor during the Civil War, and for twice capturing the Chiricahua Apache chief, Geronimo, in 1883 and in 1886, during the Indian Wars. Appointed from Ohio to the US Military Academy, and graduated in the Class of 1852, 38th in his class of 43. He fought against the Indians in California, where in 1857 he was wounded. In 1861, he was made Colonel and commander of the 36th Ohio Volunteer Infantry regiment, and was wounded at Louisburg.

Roush, Edd J. 'Mr. Red'
b. May 8, 1893 d. March 21, 1988
Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Player. Though generally associated with the Cincinnati Reds, he made his debut in 1913 with the Chicago White Sox. The following year, he jumped to the Federal League and played in it for two years before joining the New York Giants in 1916. After about a third of the way through that season, he joined Cincinnati. The following year he lead the National League in hitting with a .341 average and in 1919 he won his second title by hitting .321.

Ireland, John
b. January 30, 1914 d. March 21, 1992
Actor. Starting out on stage, Ireland entered films in 1945, and had a prolific career, spanning almost 50 years. Mostly playing villain types, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 1949 for his role in "All the Kings Men."

Hosking Jr., Charles Ernest
b. May 12, 1924 d. March 21, 1967
Vietnam Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. He was a Master Sergeant with the U.S. Army, Company A, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism at Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam on March 21, 1967. His official CMOH citation reads as follows: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.