Died On This Date

May 12
Como, Perry
b. May 18, 1912 d. May 12, 2001
Singer, Actor. Helped pioneer variety shows on the new medium of television in the 1950s. He worked as a barber before he left that profession in the 1930s to sing with big bands. He had 14 singles that made it to No. 1 and sold more than 100 million albums. He had more than 20 gold records in his career and was probably best known for the tune "And I Love You So." In 1958 he won a Grammy Award as best male singer for the hit "Catch a Falling Star." Cause of death: Died in his sleep from complications of alzheimers.

Stuart, James Ewell Brown 'J.E.B.'
b. February 6, 1833 d. May 12, 1864
Civil War Confederate Major General. After graduating from West Point in 1854, he became a first lieutenant in the United States Army 1st Cavalry, and an Indian fighter in the west. In 1859, he was sent with orders for Robert E Lee to go to Harpers Ferry to stop the raid of John Brown. After Brown's raiders were surrounded in the town, Stuart volunteered to issue the ultimatum to Brown before the final assault.

Reed, Robert
b. October 19, 1932 d. May 12, 1992
Motion picture and television actor. Fondly remembered in the role of 'Mike Brady,' the father on the popular TV series "The Brady Bunch." Cause of death: Cancer related to AIDS

Paine, Robert Treat
b. March 11, 1731 d. May 12, 1814
Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Massachusetts. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Paine graduated from Harvard University in 1749 at the age of 18, and taught school in Lunenburg, Massachusetts. Discovering he lacked the patience to teach, after one year, he began to sail about the Atlantic, going to Spain, the Azores, and Greenland. Returning home in 1754, he began to study law, and became a lawyer in 1757 in Taunton, Massachusetts.

Scott, John Wallace
b. August 31, 1832 d. May 12, 1903
Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He was a Brevet Major in the Union Army. He was awarded the Medal of Honor as a Captain in Company D, 157th Pennsylvania Infantry for action on April 1, 1865 at Five Forks, Virginia. His citation reads "Capture of the flag of the 16th South Carolina Infantry, in hand-to-hand combat."

Westerhold, William
b. January 21, 1836 d. May 12, 1910
Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He was born in Binde, Prussia and he died in New York, New York. He entered the Union Army in New York, New York and served as a Sergeant in Company G, 52d New York Infantry. He attained the rank of First Lieutenant. He was awarded the CMOH for action on May 12, 1864 at Spotsylvania, Virginia. His citation reads "Capture of flag of 23d Virginia Infantry (C.S.A.) and its bearer."

Lubin, Arthur
b. July 25, 1898 d. May 12, 1995
Motion Picture Director. He began his career as actor in silent movies. From 1930, he worked for Universal Pictures. He is best remembered for films such as "Big Town Czar" (1939), "Black Friday" (1940), "Hold That Ghost" (1941), "Phantom of the Opera" (1943), "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" (1944), "The Spider Woman Strikes Back" (1946), "Francis Goes to the Races" (1951) and "Lady Godiva" (1955).

Bettenhausen Sr., Melvin Eugene 'Tony'
b. September 12, 1916 d. May 12, 1961
Auto Race Car Driver. He was the 1951 and 1958 National Racing Champion. He was killed test driving a racecar at the Indianapolis Speedway.

Murphy, Jeremiah J.
b. February 2, 1858 d. May 12, 1932
Indian Wars Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served during the Wars with the Plains Indians as a Private in Company M, 3rd United States Cavalry. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action at Powder River, Montana on March 17, 1876. His citation reads "Being the only member of his picket not disabled, he attempted to save a wounded comrade".

Berkman, Ted
b. January 9, 1914 d. May 12, 2006
Screenwriter, Author. Berkman wrote the story for the film "Bedtime for Bonzo", (1951) starring Ronald Reagan. Born Edward Oscar Berkman in Brookyln, NY. he was author of the book "Cast a Giant Shadow", which was made into a film starring Kirk Douglas. Berkman's other screenplays included "Fear Strikes Out", (1957) about real-life ballplayer Jimmy Piersall, starring Anthony Perkins and "Edge of Fury", (1958).

McKinney, William H.
d. May 12, 1864
Civil War Union Soldier. He was mustered into the Union Army on March 16, 1864, as a private, in Company F, 17th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. He was buried in Arlington on May 13, 1864, and was the first United States soldier to have family present at their funeral services. He also was the second soldier to be buried in Arlington. His stone lists his name as "W.H. McKinney".