Died On This Date

April 25

Rogers, Ginger
b. July 16, 1911 d. April 25, 1995
Actress, Singer, and Dancer. She was given the name "Ginger" by her cousin, who could not pronounce "Virginia" correctly. She neither smoked nor drank, preferring ice cream sodas. Born Virginia Katherine McMath in Independence, Missouri, her family moved to Texas when she was a toddler. Her parents divorced, and her father died when she was 11. She then moved with her mother to her grandparents' home in Kansas City, Missouri, where she was raised.

Serrell, Edward Wellman
b. November 5, 1826 d. April 25, 1906
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. In 1845 he became assistant engineer in charge of the Central railroad of New Jersey. He accompanied the expedition that in 1848 located the route of the railroad between Aspinwall and Panama, and on his return, a year later, engaged in building the suspension-bridge across the Niagara river at Lewiston. He was in charge of the Hoosac tunnel in 1858, and was concerned in the construction of the Bristol bridge over Avon river, in England.

Nelson, William Lloyd
b. February 22, 1918 d. April 25, 1943
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Sergeant in the US Army in the 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division as a Mortar Section Leader. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action at Djebel Dardys, northwest of Sedjenane, Tunisia on April 24, 1943. His citation reads in part "Although mortally wounded in the accomplishment of his mission, and with his duty clearly completed, Sgt. Nelson crawled to a still more advanced observation point.

Pickett, Bobby 'Boris'
b. February 11, 1938 d. April 25, 2007
Singer, Entertainer. Fondly remembered for his hit song, "The Monster Mash."

Gilliland, Charles L.
b. May 24, 1933 d. April 25, 1951Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War as a Corporal (then Private First Class) in Company I, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery near Tongmang-ni, Korea, on April 25, 1951. His citation reads "Cpl. Gilliland, a member of Company I, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy.

Knight, Raymond
b. June 15, 1922 d. April 25, 1945
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Timpson, Texas he served as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army Air Corps. In April 1944, he was assigned to the 350th Fighter Group, 12th Air Force, Northern Italy, where he flew 82 combat missions in a P-47 Thunderbolt. On the morning of April 25, 1945, Lieutenant Knight volunteered to lead another attack on the airfield at Bergamo, Italy.

Gonzales, David M.
b. June 9, 1923 d. April 25, 1945
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Served in the United States Army during World War II as a Private First Class in Company A, 127th Infantry, 32nd Infantry Division. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at Villa Verde Trail on Luzon, the Philippine Islands, on April 25, 1945. His citation reads “He was pinned down with his company. As enemy fire swept the area, making any movement extremely hazardous, a 500-pound bomb smashed into the company's perimeter, burying 5 men.

Lopes, Lisa 'Left Eye'
b. May 27, 1971 d. April 25, 2002
Pop Musician. She was a member of the pop music group “TLC” which she formed with Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins in 1992. The released three albums during their tenure, 1992’s "Oooooooh...On the TLC Tip”, 1994’s "CrazySexyCool," (which brought them mainstream success with the popularity of the hit song "Waterfalls”), and 1999’s "FanMail", which topped the United States pop album charts for five weeks, and generated eight Grammy Award nominations.

Fletcher, Frank Jack
b. April 29, 1885 d. April 25, 1973
Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz) Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Citation: "Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy. Place and date: Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 and 22 April 1914. Entered service at: Iowa. Born: 29 April 1885, Marshalltown, Iowa. G.O. No.: 177, 4 December 1915. Citation: For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914. Under fire, Lt. Fletcher was eminent and conspicuous in performance of his duties.

Guss, Henry Ruhl
b. July 28, 1825 d. April 25, 1907
Civil War Union Brevet Major General. In July of 1861, he received authority from the Secretary of War to recruit a Pennsylvania regiment and thus formed the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment and was commissioned Colonel in command. Promoted Brigadier General in 1862, he led the 97th Pennsylvania the entire Civil War in engagements in Maryland, Virginia and up to the surrender of Confederate General Johnson's Army at Durham Station, North Carolina on April 26, 1865.

Opdycke, Gen. Emerson
b. January 7, 1830 d. April 25, 1884
Civil War Union Brigadier General. General Opdycke, whose full name was Samuel Emerson Opdycke, was born on his father's farm in Ohio. During the California gold rush, he made two trips to the gold fields, but eventually went into the mercantile business. Enlisting after the Battle of Manassas (Bull Run), Opdycke fought at Shiloh, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, in the Atlanta Campaign, and at Franklin, Tennessee, being badly wounded in the arm at Resaca, Georgia.

Langhorne, Cary DeVall
b. May 14, 1873 d. April 25, 1948
Mexican Campaign Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Served in the United States Navy as a Surgeon during the 1914 Vera Cruz, Mexico Campaign. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery on April 22, 1914. His citation reads “For extraordinary heroism in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz. Surg. Langhorne carried a wounded man from the front of the Naval Academy while under heavy fire”. His Medal was awarded to him on December 4, 1915.

Bennett, Floyd
b. October 25, 1890 d. April 25, 1928
Aviator, Explorer, US Navy Peacetime Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. On May 9, 1926, he and Robert Byrd took off and made history by being the first men to fly over the North Pole. For this feat, both men were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Plans were made for a second trip, this time to the South Pole. Unfortunately, he did not live to realize the triumph of the South Pole Expedition.

Sanders, George
b. July 3, 1906 d. April 25, 1972
British-born motion picture actor. Between 1934 and 1972 he appeared in over 124 films. His films include, "Lloyds Of London" (1936) and "All About Eve" (1950). In 1950 he won an Oscar for his role in "All About Eve" as best supporting actor as the villainous drama critic. Among his television appearances are, "Mission Impossible" (1966-1973), "Batman" (1968), "Daniel Boone" (1964-1970), "The Rogues" (1964-1965), "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." (1964-1968), "Voyages To The The Bottom Of The Sea"

Wilson, Don
b. September 1, 1900 d. April 25, 1982
Actor. He appeared in the films "The Mouse That Jack Built" (1959), "Niagara" (1953), "The Senator Was Indiscreet" (1947), "Dick Tracy" (1945), "Swing It Soldier" (1941), "Hollywood Goes To Town" (1938), "Meet The Missus" (1937), "Broadway Melody Of 1936" (1935) and "Riders Of The Cactus" (1931). He appeared in the television shows "Batman" (1966-1968), "Death Valley Days" (1952-1975) and "Screen Directors Playhouse" (1955-1956).

Williams, Claude 'Fiddler'
b. February 22, 1908 d. April 25, 2004
Jazz Pioneer, Musician. He played guitar, mandolin, banjo and cello by the age of ten. He then heard Joe Venuti's violin at an outdoor pavilion "above the orchestra, on top of all the other instruments" and convinced his family to buy him his first fiddle the next day. His paying work started with his brother-in-law Ben Johnson's string band, a group of young musicians playing barber shops, hotels, and front yards.

Mullane, Anthony John 'Tony'
b. January 30, 1859 d. April 25, 1944
Major League Baseball Player. Known as "Count" or the "Apollo of the Box". A 19th-century pitcher who amassed more than 280 wins (the exact number is in dispute). He is also known for being the first pitcher to throw both right and lefthanded in a game.

Perkins, Johnny
b. April 21, 1953 d. April 25, 2007
Professional Football Player. He joined the New York Giants as a second-round draft pick in 1977 and spent his entire career with the team as a wide receiver, retiring in 1983. In 1981 he led the Giants with career-high totals of 51 catches for 858 yards and six touchdowns. In seven seasons, he caught 163 balls for 2611 yards and scored 18 touchdowns in 71 games. He was also an All-American at Abilene Christian University as both a wide receiver and punter.