Died On This Date

April 5th

Heston (Carter), Charlton (John Charles)
b. October 4, 1923 d. April 5, 2008
Actor. A Hollywood legend, he became a superstar playing larger-than-life characters, from Moses to Michaelangelo, in big screen epics of the 1950s and 1960s. He won an Academy Award for his powerful performance in the title role of "Ben-Hur" (1959). Born John Charles Carter in Evanston, Illinois, he caught the acting bug as a teen and took on the pseudonym Charlton Heston (borrowed from his mother's maiden name and his stepfather's surname) as a drama major at Northwestern University.

MacArthur, Douglas
b. January 26, 1880 d. April 5, 1964
United States World War II General of the Army (5 stars). Fought in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. His awards include the Medal of Honor, 3 Distinguished Service Crosses, 4 Distinguished Service Medals, 7 Silver Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star (with V for Valor) and 2 Purple Hearts). He was one of the youngest General officers in modern US history. He and his father are the first father-son Medal of Honor recipients in US history.

Hughes, Howard
b. December 24, 1905 d. April 5, 1976
Academy Award-winning producer and director, aviator and businessman. Howard Hughes was born in Houston on December 24, 1905 to wealthy parents. His father had invented a revolutionary new oil drilling bit that was able to cut cleaner through rock; as a result, he made a fortune during the exploding Texas oil boom years. Howard was brought up into the business, studied at Rice University, and when his father passed away in 1924, he inherited the Hughes Tool Company at the age of 19.

Snodgrass, Fred
b. October 19, 1887 d. April 5, 1974
Professional Baseball Player. He played the outfield, mostly center field, for the New York Giants from 1908-1915 and appeared in three losing World Series from 1911-13. In the 1911 Series, he hit just .105 and was hitless in his final 14 at-bats as the Philadelphia Athletics won in six games. The following year he hit just .212 as the Boston Red Sox survived in eight games (Game 2 had ended in a tie and was called by darkness).

Cobain, Kurt
b. February 20, 1967 d. April 5, 1994
Rock Musician. He was the singer and guitarist for the seminal grunge band "Nirvana." His death is officially listed as suicide, but many controversial aspects of his death suggest that he may have been murdered. Born in Hoquiam, Washington, he had an apparently happy childhood, until his parents, Donald and Wendy Fradenburg Cobain, divorced. Constantly placed with one relative after another, he became a recluse, withdrawn and anti-social in high school. In 1986, he formed the band, "Nirvana".

Pitney, Gene
b. February 17, 1940 d. April 5, 2006
Rock Musician. A native of Rockville, Connecticut, he is best remembered for his memorable recordings of such songs as, 'A Town Without Pity,' 'Only Love Can Break A Heart,' Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa,' 'It Hurts To Be In Love,' and 'I'm Gonna be Strong.' He also recorded, 'She's A Heartbreaker,' 'Mecca,' '(I Wanna) Love My Love Away,' 'Half Heaven, Half Heartache,' and the gunfighter ballad, 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.' Pitney who began his music career in 1961.

Staley, Layne
b. August 22, 1967 d. April 5, 2002Rock Musician. Vocalist for the Seattle band "Alice In Chains." He was born in Kirkland, Washington on August 22, 1967. At age 12 he started playing drums and soon he was in various glam bands. He traded in his drum set for a microphone and p.a. when he was 15. He started playing with different garage bands for a while and then one night at a party Layne met future Alice in Chains guitar player, Jerry Cantrell. Cantrell knew Alice's original bass player Mike Starr who was interested and hooked. Cause of death: Drug overdose.

Janeway, Hugh H.
b. November 14, 1842 d. April 5, 1865
Civil War Union Army Officer. He served as Colonel and commander of the 1st New Jersey Volunteer Cavalry.

Stingley, Darryl
b. September 18, 1951 d. April 5, 2007
Professional Football Player. He was a wide receiver for five seasons (1973 to 1977) in the National Football League with the New England Patriots. He was named to the All-NFL Rookie Team, in 1973. His best year was in 1976 when he had 39 receptions for 657 yards with 5 touchdowns. Stingley's career came to a sudden and tragic end when he was paralyzed during a preseason game in 1978. In 60 career games, he had 110 receptions for 1,883 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Walton, Sam
b. March 29, 1918 d. April 5, 1992
Businessman. After graduating from the University of Missouri, he began his career as a retail merchant when he opened the first of several franchises of the Ben Franklin five-and-dime franchises in Arkansas. He opened his first Wal-Mart store in 1962; specializing in name-brands at low prices, the chain of Wal-Mart stores sprang up across rural America. His management style was popular with employees and helped to spur growth, taking the company public in 1970.

Messick, Dale
b. April 11, 1906 d. April 5, 2005
Cartoonist. Born Dalia Messic in Southbend, Indiana, she started her career in comics in the mid-1920s. She is remembered for her creation "Brenda Starr, Reporter," which became her biggest success. Based on Rita Hayworth, this comic book became a film in 1989, starring by Brooke Shields. She retired in 1980. She received the National Cartoonist Society's Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.

Harvey, Harry
b. June 4, 1873 d. April 5, 1929
Philippine Insurrection Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Served during the Insurrection in the Philippines as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery on February 16, 1900. His citation reads “Served in battle against the enemy at Benictican. Throughout this action and in the presence of the enemy, Harvey distinguished himself by meritorious conduct”. His Medal was awarded to him on July 19, 1901.

Dewert, Richard David
b. November 17, 1931 d. April 5, 1951
Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Dewert served as a Hospital Corpsman, United States Navy. Hospital Corpsman attached to Marine infantry company, 1st Marine Division. He was awarded his medal posthumously for service in Korea, on April 5, 1951. His citation reads-For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a HC, in action against enemy aggressor forces.

Donlevy, Brian (Waldo)
b. February 9, 1901 d. April 5, 1972
Actor. Known for roles in "Destry Rides Again," "Wake Island," "Jesse James," and "Five Golden Dragons" to name a few. Cause of death: Throat cancer.