Died On This Date

May 6
Thoreau, Henry David
b. July 12, 1817 d. May 6, 1862
Author. A transcendental believer, David Thoreau lived his theory of civil disobedience. He was born in the city of Concord, Massachusetts. His brother, an ornithologist, had a great influence on his life. Thoreau developed an interest in nature, spending much of his youth exploring the region's ponds and woods. His formal education started at the Concord Academy and then went on at Harvard College. Upon graduation returned to Concord and taught school.

Dietrich, Marlene
b. December 27, 1901 d. May 6, 1992
Actress, Singer. She appeared in over 70 films from 1914 to movies made after her death in 1992. Her acting style was so famous that she was spoofed by Madeline Kahn in the comedic film "Blazing Saddles”. Born just outside Berlin, Germany, her father was a police lieutenant (other biographies state he was an Army officer), and she was noted for her "bedroom eyes" early, including an affair with a professor that resulted in his dismissal from school.

Baum, L. Frank
b. May 15, 1856 d. May 6, 1919
Author and Journalist. Lyman Frank Baum (who used "Frank" as his Christian name throughout his life) showed a remarkable inclination for journalism from an early age, publishing his own small newspaper and stamp-collecting magazine while still in his teens. He would run several small publications through his adult life, taking jobs with newspapers like the "Aberdeen Saturday Pioneer" and "Chicago Evening Post" when his own ventures failed to bear fruit.

Woolley, Monty
b. August 17, 1888 d. May 6, 1963
Actor. He is best remembered for his role of a bombastic, overbearing ‘Sheridan Whiteside’ in the movie "The Man Who Came to Dinner" (1941). In this movie, his line "My, how time flies when you're having fun" became a classic understatement. Born in New York City, he became a professor at Yale University and taught drama to the students, including Thornton Wilder and Cole Porter.

Homer, Louise Dilworth Beatty
b. April 30, 1871 d. May 6, 1947
Opera Singer. American dramatic contralto who partnered Enrico Caruso, Giovanni Martinelli and Beniamino Gigli at the Metropolitan Opera. She debuted on December 22, 1900 as ‘Amneris’ in Guiseppi Verdi's “Aida”, and performed until November 28, 1929 when she took her final bow as ‘Azucena’ in Verdi's “Il Trovatore” and on RCA Victor Red Seal Records. She appeared in the American premieres of Giacomo Puccini's “Madame Butterfly” as ‘Suzuki’ and Englebert Humperdinck's “Konigskinder” Cause of death: heart failure.

Howe, James Donnie
b. December 17, 1948 d. May 6, 1970
Viet Nam Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Served in the Viet Nam War in the United States Marine Corps as a Lance Corporal in Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery on May 6, 1970. 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 rifleman with Company I, during operations against enemy forces.

Weems, Ted
b. September 26, 1901 d. May 6, 1963
Jazz Bandleader. With his "Ted Weems Orchestra", he had his first hit in 1925 with the song "Piccolo Pete". Popular in the 1930s, they appeared on many radio shows, and was the first band to include future singing star Perry Como. Other hits include "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now" (1939 with Perry Como) and "Heartaches" (1947 with Elmo Tanner).

McGovern Jr., James B.
b. 1922 d. May 6, 1954World War II Fighter Pilot and CIA Operative. The swashbuckling McGovern was one of the first two Americans to die in combat with the North Vietnamese, seven years before the United States' official entry in the Vietnam War. He was known as "Earthquake McGoon" after a character in the "Li'l Abner" comic strip because of his imposing stature. During World War II McGovern was a fighter pilot in the 14th Air Force's "Tiger Shark" squadron, and was credited with shooting down four Japanese Zero.

Parks, Roberta Kathleen
b. 1951 d. May 6, 1974
Murder Victim. She was abducted from the campus of Oregon State University and murdered by serial killer Ted Bundy. Her skull was later found on Taylor Mountain. Bundy confessed to her murder shortly before his execution.

Rogers, Edward Samuel
b. June 21, 1900 d. May 6, 1939
Broadcaster, inventor, pioneer and visionary. Always thinking ahead, "Ted" Rogers became interested in radio back in 1911, when it was still a brand new concept. He created his own 1/2KW spark transmitter, one of the first licensed amateur sets in Canada, and used that to experament with transmission signals. By 1920 his little radio station was reaching both the Maritimes and the Pacific Coast. In 1921 he entered a competition sponsored by the American Radio Relay League.

Nugent, Christopher
b. 1838 d. May 6, 1898
Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Orderly Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. His citation reads "Served on board the USS Fort Henry, Crystal River, Fla., 15 June 1863. Reconnoitering on the Crystal River on this date and in charge of a boat from the Fort Henry, Orderly Sgt. Nugent ordered an assault upon a rebel breastwork fortification. In this assault, the orderly sergeant and his comrades drove a guard of 11 rebels into the swamp, capturing their arms.

Mansfield, John
b. August, 1822 d. May 6, 1896
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. Served in the Civil War first as Lieutenant Colonel of the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, then as Colonel and commander of the 12th Veterans Reserve Corps. He was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on March 13, 1865 for "gallant and meritorious services during the war". He served as California's Lieutenant Governor from 1880 to 1883.

Coates, Benjamin Franklin
b. June 23, 1827 d. May 6, 1899
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. He served during the Civil War as Colonel and commander of the 91st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on March 13, 1865 for "efficient and meritorious services".

Van Dyke, Truman
b. 1898 d. May 6, 1984
Actor. Appeared in Silent Films.

Hooper, Joe Ronnie
b. August 8, 1938 d. May 6, 1979
Viet Nam Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Staff Sergeant, United States Army, Company D, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. He was awarded his medal for service near Hue, Republic of Vietnam, on February 21, 1968, during the Vietnam War. His citation reads-For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S