Died On This Date: Mar 24

Elizabeth I
b. September 7, 1533 d. March 24, 1603
English Monarch. The daughter of Henry VIII and his ill-fated queen, Anne Boleyn. When her mother was executed and the marriage declared null and void, Elizabeth was declared illegitimate and deprived of her place in the line of succession. When the king died in 1547, despite being officially illegitimate, Elizabeth and her sister Mary were reinstated into the succession. Elizabeth would be third in line behind her brother Edward and Mary. Impressively educated, it became clear at an early age.

Verne, Jules
b. February 8, 1828 d. March 24, 1905
Author. One of the most energetic and innovative writers of the 19th century, pioneer of both science-fiction and the adventure story ('20,000 Leagues Under the Sea', 'Around the World in 80 Days', 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth', 'Five Weeks in a Balloon', ' Michael Strogoff', etc.). Many of his works are now better -known as the films they inspired. From 1888 until 1904 he was also a town councilor of Amiens.

Widmark, Richard
b. December 26, 1914 d. March 24, 2008
Actor. He spent his early teenage years growing up in Illinois and throughout the Midwest before entering Lake Forest College in Illinois with the intent of pursuing a degree in law. Following graduation he remained at Lake Forest College as a drama instructor, before appearing on radio in the 1938 production of "Aunt Jenny's Real Life Stories." He appeared on Broadway five years later in the theater production of "Kiss and Tell" before making his first big screen appearance in 1947.

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth
b. February 27, 1807 d. March 24, 1882
19th Century American poet, all told probably the best loved of all American poets the world over, whose works are still widely cited. Among his most famous works are “Evangeline” (1847), “The Song of Hiawatha” (1855) and “The Courtship of Miles Standish” (1858). Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born on February 27, 1807, in Portland, Maine. His father, Stephen Longfellow, was a Portland lawyer and congressman.

Harris, Marion
b. 1906 d. March 24, 1944
Jazz Musician. She was a vaudeville and revue headliner, famed for her renditions of jazz songs. She began her recording career in 1916 performing such standards as "Look for the Silver Lining", "I Ain't Got Nobody Much", "After You've Gone" and "The Man I Love". Universal asked her in 1929 to use her voice for a film player, which she refused. She appeared in ”Devil May Care “(1929), as ‘Louise’, and as Herself in “Gems of M-G-M (1930) and “Falling in Love” (1935).

Montgomery, Bernard Law
b. November 17, 1887 d. March 24, 1976
British Field Marshal. Affectionately referred to as "Monty" by his troops, he served as field commander over British and Allied forces in North Africa, Sicily, and Europe. Educated at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Montgomery entered the army in 1908 and served in World War I. In the earlier stages of World War II, he commanded the 3rd Division in France.

Peters, George J.
d. March 24, 1945
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the United States Army during World War II as a Private in Company G, 507th Parachute Infantry, 17th Airborne Division. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at Fluren, Germany, on March 24, 1945. His citation reads "Pvt. Peters, a platoon radio operator with Company G, made a descent into Germany near Fluren, east of the Rhine. With 10 others, he landed in a field about 75 yards from a German machinegun supported by riflemen.

Stryker, Stuart S.
b. October 30, 1924 d. March 24, 1945
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Portland Oregon, he served as a Private First Class in E Company, 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment, US Army. On March 24, 1945, the aircraft carrying Company E of the 513th was dropped in the wrong landing zone near Wesel, Germany. PFC Stryker was a platoon messenger runner, when the unit Company E reached a point about 250 yards from a large building used as an enemy headquarters and manned by a force of Germans with rifles.

Coker, Ronald Leroy
b. August 9, 1947 d. March 24, 1969
Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company M, 3d Battalion, 3d Marine Division (Rein), FMF. Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 24 March 1969. Entered service at: Denver, Colo. Born: 9 August 1947, Alliance, Colo. Citation: 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 M in action against enemy forces.

Hecker, Friedrich Karl Franz
b. September 28, 1811 d. March 24, 1881
Civil War Union Army Officer. He was a German Revolutionist of 1848 and an educated lawyer. He had ignited the revolt of 1848-1849 with one of his many speeches about Baden being declared a Republic. He was forced to leave the country and then made his way to America with other Germans. His arrival in America saw a huge reception. He then settled in Belleville just outside St. Louis and then in 1861 he enlisted as a Private in Franz Sigel's 3rd Missouri Volunteer Infantry.

Taylor, Richard Hamilton
b. September 8, 1870 d. March 24, 1956
Peacetime Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Quartermaster in the United States Navy. His citation reads "Serving on board the USS Nipsic, Taylor displayed gallantry during the hurricane at Apia, Somoa, 16 March 1889.

Singleton, Walter Keith
b. December 7, 1944 d. March 24, 1967
Viet Nam Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Singleton served as a Sergeant, United States Marine Corps, Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division. He was awarded his medal posthumously for service at Gio Linh District, Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, on March 24, 1967. His citation reads-For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Singleton's company was conducting combat operations when the lead platoon.

Davis, Thomas
b. December 11, 1837 d. March 24, 1919
Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Private in the Union Army in Company C, 2d New York Heavy Artillery. He was awarded the CMOH for action on April 6, 1865 at Deatonsville (Sailor's Creek), Virginia. His citation reads "Capture of flag."

Tebbetts, George 'Birdie'
b. November 10, 1912 d. March 24, 1999
Major League Baseball Player, Manager.He was a catcher for the Detroit Tigers where he was an all-star from 1940-42 and played in the 1940 World Series. He was also an all-star in 1948 and 1949 with the Boston Red Sox. After finishing his career as a player with the Cleveland Indians, he managed the Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians.