Died On This Date

Ford, Henry
b. July 30, 1863 d. April 7, 1947
Pioneer Industrialist. Founder of the Ford Motor Company. He was a Midwestern farm boy with a grammar school education who rose to become the world's largest auto manufacturer. In an era when automobiles were hand-crafted luxury items, he developed the mass-produced Model T, the first car the average person could afford. In the process he revolutionized industry and greatly changed the way of life in the United States.

Barnum, Phineas T.
b. July 5, 1810 d. April 7, 1891
Legendary 19th Century American showman and circus promoter. Best remembered for founding the first modern three-ring circus, which also would eventually became the biggest and most important circus in the world, the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. He was born Phineas Taylor Barnum on July 5, 1810 in Bethel, Connecticut, the oldest of five children of an inn and store-keeper.

Hart, Johnny
b. February 18, 1931 d. April 7, 2007
Cartoonist. In 1958, he created and launched the newspaper comic strip B.C. The strip, which features a caveman named B.C. and his prehistoric cohorts, has remained popular for five decades. His multi–award winning cartoon is enjoyed daily by more than 100 million readers in world wide syndication. He has lent his characters to promote many agencies and activities, including the Broome Dusters hockey team, BC Transit, Broome County Parks and the professional golf tournament which became the B.C.

Clark, Jim 'The Flying Scot'
b. March 4, 1936 d. April 7, 1968World renowned race driver. Clark was a two-time Formula One Grand Prix champion in 1963and 1965. He was also a five-time veteran of the Indianapolis 500. He finished second in his first 500 in 1963. He won the pole position and had a big lead during the 1964 race, but was a victim of a mechanical failure. He won the 1965 classic and again finished second in 1966. A commemorative banner in his honor was first displayed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in September 2001. Cause of death: Racing accident.

Taurog, Norman
b. February 23, 1899 d. April 7, 1981
Academy Award-winning Motion Picture Director. During a career which spanned the 1920s through 1960s, he won an Oscar as Best Director for the 1931 film "Skippy," which starred Jackie Cooper (Taurog's nephew). He also directed several films starring Elivs Presley, including "G.I. Blues" (1960), "Blue Hawaii" (1961), "Girls! Girls! Girls!" (1962), "It Happened at the World's Fair" (1963), "Tickle Me" (1965).

Private John D. Putnam
d. April 7, 1864
Private John D. Putnam served in the 14th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was killed in the Battle of Shiloh on April 7th, 1862 near the 'Hornet's Nest' which was near what is called 'The Sunken Road'. His comrades initially buried him at the base of a tree, carving his name and unit into the bark (JD Putnum, Co. F14 WV). After the battle Putnum was interred at Shiloh National Military Cemetery. In 1901 the Wisconsin Shiloh Memorial Commission was formed to locate a spot where the formal..

Parrish, Noel Francis
b. November 11, 1909 d. April 7, 1987
Brig General Parrish was the White commander of the all-black Tuskegee Airman. Organized and directed the military's first systematic effort to train black pilots for combat duty durning World War II. The General was instrumental in planning the integration of the armed forces in later years.

Huston, Walter
b. April 6, 1894 d. April 7, 1950
Actor, father of John Huston and grandfather of Anjelica Huston. Won Best Supporting Oscar for "The Treasure of The Sierra Madre" (1948). According to Lawrence Grobel's book "The Hustons," his ashes went unclaimed for more than twenty years. John Huston finally found them in a Manhattan funeral home and buried them at Walter Ranch in Porterville. In 1973, after Huston's second wife, Nan, died, John had them buried next to her in a cemetery in Fresno, California.

Shea, Charles W.
b. December 24, 1921 d. April 7, 1994
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Served during World War II in the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant in Company F, 350th Infantry. 88th Infantry Division. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery near Mount Damiano, Italy, on May 12, 1944. His citation reads "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. As 2d Lt. Shea and his company were advancing toward a hill occupied by the enemy, 3 enemy machineguns suddenly opened.fire.

Knaak, Albert
d. April 7, 1897
Indian Wars Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Switzerland, he served during the Wars against the Plains Indians as a Private in Company B, 8th United States Cavalry. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his brave service in Arizona from August to October 1868. His citation reads "Bravery in scouts and actions against Indians". His Medal was awarded to him on July 24, 1869. He was severely injured when he was thrown from his horse at Fort Meade, Dakota Territory.

Leverette, William L.
b. September 5, 1913 d. April 7, 2003
World War II American Fighter Ace. As a major in the United States Army Air Corps in World War II, he was one of only two American pilots to shoot down seven aircraft in a single encounter with the enemy. He ended the war with a total of eleven victories, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Jordan, Marian 'Molly McGee'
b. November 16, 1896 d. April 7, 1961
Actress and Radio personality. She is best remembered in the comic role of Molly McGee of "Fibber McGee and Molly" (1935-1959) fame. She and her real life husband, Jim Jordan, would pair together for the rest of their lives as comic actors. She was born Marian Driscoll in Peoria, Illinois, the daughter of coal miner Daniel and Anna Driscoll. As a teenager and young adult, she gave music lessons and sang in the choir at her Catholic Church.

Tucker, Dan
b. February 14, 1740 d. April 7, 1818
American Folk Figure. He was the "Old Dan Tucker" of the United States folk song by Daniel Decatur Emmett. The most memorial lines of the song go "Now old Dan Tucker's fine old man, Washed his face in a frying pan, Combed his hair with a wagon wheel, And died of a toothache in his heel..."

Palmer, George Henry
b. April 16, 1841 d. April 7, 1901
Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served during the Civil War as a Musician with the 1st Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at Lexington, Missouri on September 20, 1861. His citation reads "Volunteered to fight in the trenches and also led a charge which resulted in the recapture of a Union hospital, together with Confederate sharpshooters then occupying the same". His Medal was issued to him on March 20, 1896.