Died On This Date

May 8
Arnold, Eddy (Richard Edward)
b. May 15, 1918 d. May 8, 2008
Country Music Singer. A country gentleman who brought style and innumerable fans to country music, he was at heart just a "Tennessee Plowboy". During his career he sold more than 85 million records starting in the 1940's and ending with his last and 100th album "After All This Time" released in 2005. He ranks as Billboard magazine's single most popular country artist of all time. Some of his popular hits include, "The Cattle Call", "Make the World Go Away", and "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye".

Peppard, George
b. October 1, 1928 d. May 8, 1994
Actor, he is best remembered for his breakthrough role of Paul “Fred” Varjak in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961), and for his role of Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith in the television series “The A-Team” (1983-1986). Born in Detroit, Michigan, the son of opera singer and building contractor Vernelle Rohrer. He graduated from Dearborn High School in nearby Dearborn, Michigan, and attended Purdue University, where he studied Engineering, later transferring to Carnegie Mellon University. Cause of death: Pneumonia.

Thordsen, William George
b. April 2, 1879 d. May 8, 1932
Philippine Insurrection Medal of Honor Recipient. He was serving as a Coxswain in the United States Navy when he earned his Medal. His citation reads: For heroism and gallantry under fire of the enemy at Hilongas, Philippine Islands, 6 May 1900. His Medal was awarded on August 15, 1900. He later served as Chief Gunners Mate.

Fox, William
b. January 1, 1879 d. May 8, 1952
Motion Picture Pioneer. Founder of the Fox Film Corporation. He was born Wilhelm Fried in Tulchva, Hungary, to German-Jewish parents. In the US from infancy, he was raised in a tenement in New York's Lower East Side and left school at age 11 to help support his family. After years of toiling in the garment business, he bought a penny arcade in 1904 and was soon operating nickelodeons throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan; he then set up a film distribution branch, The Greater New York Rental.

Andrews, Laverne
b. July 6, 1915 d. May 8, 1967
Jazz Musician. Along with her sisters Maxene and Patty, she was part of the Big Band singing Trio "The Andrews Sisters". Enormously popular during World War II, they were dubbed as "America's Wartime Sweethearts". Cause of death: Cancer.

Stark, John
b. August 28, 1728 d. May 8, 1822
Revolutionary War Continental Army Major General. John Stark was born in Londonderry, New Hampshire. He served as a captain in Roger's Rangers during the French and Indian War (1752-1760). At the outbreak of the American Revolution, Clark became a colonel of a regiment of New Hampshire militia. His first action was at Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, where his heroic action kept the British from flanking the Colonials on Breed's Hill.

DeCastro, Joseph H.
b. November 14, 1844 d. May 8, 1892
Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Served in the Civil War as a Corporal in Company I, 19th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery during his regiment's attack and repulse of elements of Pickett's Charge on the Third Day of the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (July 3, 1863). His citation reads "Capture of flag of 19th Virginia regiment (C.S.A.)". His Medal was issued on December 1, 1864. He was one of seven 19th Massachusetts Infantry.

Gauguin, Paul
b. June 7, 1848 d. May 8, 1903
Painter and woodcut artist. First he was a sailor, then a stockbroker in Paris but painted in his free time. He began working with Camille Pissarro in 1874 and showed in every Impressionist exhibition between 1879 and 1886. In 1884 he moved with his family to Copenhagen, where he unsuccessfully pursued a business career. He returned to Paris in 1885 to paint full-time, leaving his family in Denmark.

Krotiak, Anton L.
b. August 15, 1915 d. May 8, 1945
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He was killed in action. He served as a Private First Class in the United States Army in Company I, 148th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on May 8, 1945 at Balete Pass, Luzon, Philippine Islands. His citation reads in part "A grenade thrown from above landed in the center of the group.

Williams, Garth
b. April 16, 1912 d. May 8, 1996
Artist, Illustrator. He began his career as an artist, becoming headmaster of Luton Art School in England. He was given the British "Prix de Rome" for his sculptures. After returning to America, he turned to illustration, doing work for "The New Yorker." His first book illustrations were for E.B. White's "Stuart Little." This was such a success that he became a full time illustrator of children's books. Williams is perhaps best known for illustrating most of Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House On the Prarie."

Ryan, George E.
b. April 19, 1836 d. May 8, 1864
Civil War Union Army Officer. A 1857 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, he served as a 1st Lieutenant in the 7th United States Regular Infantry in the early days of the war. Promoted to Captain in July 1862, he served as acting Adjutant General on the staff of Major General George Sykes from December 1862 to June 1863, and as acting Adjutant General and Chief of Staff to Brigadier General Romeyn B. Ayers from June 1863 to July 1863.

Grant, Joe
b. May 15, 1908 d. May 8, 2005
Cartoonist, Writer. One of Walt Disney's most talented artists and story men, his career spanned over 70 years. With his creative partner, Dick Huemer, Grant wrote the original story for "Dumbo" (1941), and he collaborated on the scripts and character designs for "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937), "Pinocchio" (1940), "Fantasia" (1940), and the Oscar-winning short "Der Fuehrer's Face" (1942). Grant was born in New York City and studied at the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles.

Wadsworth, James
b. October 30, 1807 d. May 8, 1864
Civil War Union Major General. Considered by some to be the richest man in the Union army. He never accepted any pay, and offered his fortune to the government at the outset of the war. Served for a short time as a volunteer aide to General Irwin McDowell during the First Manassas Campaign. Appointed Brigadier General, US Volunteers on August 9, 1861. Became Military Governor of the District of Columbia in March 1862, even though he had no formal military training.