Stanley David “David” Griggs (1939 - 1989)

Astronaut. Born in Portland, Oregon, he graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1962 and was a decorated combat Naval Aviator during the Vietnam War. In July 1970, he was assigned to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center as a Naval Reservist, Rear Admiral in charge of various flight test and research projects in support […]

Robert Franklyn Overmyer (1936 - 1996)

Astronaut. He entered active duty with the US Marine Corps in 1958 and after completing Navy flight training, he was assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 214 in 1959. After various assignments at Edwards Air Force Base, California, he was chosen as an astronaut for the USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory Program in 1966. He was selected […]

Ronald Erwin McNair (1950 - 1986)

US Astronaut. Born in Lake City, South Carolina, he was a Doctor of Physics when selected as astronaut candidate by NASA in January 1978. After he completed a one year training and evaluation period, he was placed for assignment as mission specialist astronaut on Space Shuttle flight crews. He flew as mission specialist on STS […]

Clifton Curtis Williams, Jr (1932 - 1967)

Astronaut. Born in Mobile, Alabama, he was a US Marine Corps Major, graduated from the Navy Test Pilot School and accumulated 2,500 hours flying time in jet aircraft. In October 1963, he was selected by NASA as an Astronaut serving as backup pilot for the Gemini 10 mission and worked in the areas of launch […]

Dr Patricia Hilliard Robertson (1963 - 2001)

Astronaut. Selected by NASA in June 1998, Dr. Robertson reported for training in August 1998. Astronaut Candidate Training included orientation briefings and tours, numerous scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems, physiological training and ground school to prepare for T-38 flight training, as well as learning water and wilderness […]

Ellison Shoji Onizuka (1946 - 1986)

Astronaut. Born in Kealakekua, Kona, Hawaii, he was a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force and served as a NASA Mission Specialist Astronaut. At Kennedy Space Center, Florida, January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after the launch taking the life of Onizuka and six other crew members. (bio by: John […]

Herb Edelman (1933 - 1996)

Herb Edelman was born in Brooklyn, New York. Before becoming an actor, Edelman studied to become a veterinarian at Cornell University, but left during his first year. After serving in the US Army as an announcer for Armed Forces Radio, he enrolled in Brooklyn College as a Theater student, but eventually dropped out. He later […]

John Dye (1963 - 2011)

John Dye was born in Amory, Mississippi, one of three sons, to James and Lynn Dye, a furniture manufacturer and homemaker. He was introduced to acting by playing the role of the youngest von Trapp child in a school production of The Sound of Music at Cleveland High School (CHS) in Cleveland, Tennessee. He performed […]

Jimmy Durante (1893 - 1980)

By the mid-1920s, Jimmy Durante had become a vaudeville star and radio personality in a trio called Clayton, Jackson and Durante. Lou Clayton and Eddie Jackson, Durante’s closest friends, often reunited with Durante in subsequent years. Jackson and Durante appeared in the Cole Porter musical The New Yorkers, which opened on Broadway on December 8, […]

Don Durant (1932 - 2005)

Don Durant then began touring the American West as a singer/actor. He opened at many prestigious nightclubs, such as The Sands and The Sahara in Las Vegas. He garnered a small role in the 1955 Van Heflin film Battle Cry. To supplement his income, Durant taught actors how to ride horses and shoot guns, and […]

George Fischbeck (1922 - 2015)

George Fischbeck was born in Wallington, New Jersey and grew up in Farmingdale, New Jersey, the son of Johanna (Mohlenhoff), a teacher, and George Stelling Fischbeck, a farmer. Fischbeck was stationed in Hawaii and worked as a tank mechanic. He worked with the Air National Guard during the Korean War, and began learning basic meteorology. […]

Jerry Dunphy (1921 - 2002)

After serving as a pilot in World War II, Jerry Dunphy began his broadcast television career in 1953. He was the news director/anchor at then-CBS owned-and-operated (O&O) WXIX (now CW affiliated WVTV) in Milwaukee. Dunphy also was a sports reporter at another CBS O&O, WBBM-TV, in Chicago. Dunphy also served as a color commentator for […]

James Dunn (1901 - 1967)

Born in New York City, James Dunn was the son of a Wall Street stockbroker. He joined his father in his business for three years. Dunn started his entertainment career in vaudeville before progressing to films at Paramount’s Astoria studios in the late 1920s starting as an extra. After a gap where he appeared in […]

Michael Duncan (1957 - 2012)

Michael Duncan took security jobs while in Los Angeles while trying to get some acting work in commercials. During this time, he worked as a bodyguard for celebrities like Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J, and The Notorious B.I.G., all the while doing bit parts in television and films. When rapper Notorious […]

David Dukes (1945 - 2000)

David Dukes’ film career encompassed 35 movies. Throughout his career (1970s – 1990s), he was a television guest star, notably as the man who attempted to rape Edith Bunker on All in the Family, and as a blind bully on Three’s Company. During the 1980s, Dukes appeared in the dual miniseries The Winds of War […]

Pete Duel (1940 - 1971)

In Hollywood, Pete Duel found work in television, making small guest appearances in comedies like Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. and dramas, such as ABC’s Channing with Jason Evers and Combat! with Rick Jason and Vic Morrow. In 1965, he was cast in the comedy series Gidget. Duel played Gidget’s brother-in-law, John Cooper, on the series, and […]

Eddy Duchin (1909 - 1951)

Eddy Duchin was born on April 1, 1909 in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Bessarabian Jewish immigrants, Tillie (née Baron) (1885–March 21, 1962) and Frank Duchin (June 2, 1885–?). He was originally a pharmacist before turning full-time to music and beginning his new career with Leo Reisman’s orchestra at the Central Park Casino in New York, an […]

Larry Drake (1949 - 2016)

Larry Drake was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on February 21, 1949, the son of Raymond John Drake, a drafting engineer for an oil company, and Lorraine Ruth (née Burns), a homemaker. He graduated from Tulsa Edison High School and the University of Oklahoma. Larry Drake is mostly remembered for his portrayal of developmentally disabled Benny Stulwicz […]

David Doyle (1929 - 1997)

David Doyle was born in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Mary Ruth (née Fitzgerald) and Lewis Raymond Doyle, an attorney. His maternal grandfather, John Fitzgerald, was a prominent railroad builder and banker in Nebraska. He graduated from Campion High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, in 1947. He is best remembered for his role as detective […]

Ollie C. Vanek (1908 - 2000)

Baseball Figure. He was a former major league baseball player (he played outfield for the 1936 Union City Greyhounds and Dodgers), who discovered the St. Louis Cardinal’s Stan Musial. He was a member of the St. Louis Baseball Hall of Fame, the National Baseball Scouting Hall of Fame and the Professional Baseball Scouting Association. (bio […]

Al “Crown Prince of Baseball” Schacht (1892 - 1984)

Schacht was a journeyman pitcher for the Washington Senators for 3 seasons. After his retirement as a player he barnstormed doing a comic act at ballparks and was the first “Clown Prince of Baseball.” In the 1940-50s he owned a popular restaurant that bore his name in New York City.

Max “Clown Prince of Baseball” Patkin (1920 - 1999)

Baseball Entertainer. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was best known as the Clown Prince of Baseball. Cavorting in a baggy baseball uniform, Patkin made more than 4,000 appearances as a comedy attraction at minor league and Major League ball parks, (1944-93). Prior to serving on the US Navy baseball team during World War II, he […]

Adolfo Alfredo Pedernera (1918 - 1995)

Famed soccer player. Also a coach. During his 20 years career as a soccer player he won 12 championships. (bio by: 380W)

Arsenio Pastor Erico (1915 - 1977)

Soccer player (center-forward).  Born in Paraguay, still is the top scorer in Argentine soccer history (293 goals in 330 matches.) (bio by: 380W)

Kazimierz Gorski (2026 - 1970)

Olympic Soccer Coach. He was the head coach of the Polish national soccer team from 1971 to 1976 and chairman of the Polish Soccer Federation from 1991 to 1995. He led Poland to a gold and silver medal in the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics and a third place finish in the 1974 World Cup. […]

Julio Elías Musimessi (1923 - 1996)

Soccer Player (goalkeeper).  Played for the popular Boca Juniors soccer team (155 times), and won the 1954 Championship.  Also member of the Argentine National Soccer Team that assisted to the 1958 World Cup (Sweden).  Also kwown as “El Guardavalla Cantor” (The Singer Goalkeeper) for his performances in radio. (bio by: 380W)

Phil Woosnam (1932 - 2013)

Professional Football (Soccer) Figure. Born Phillip Abraham Woosnam, he is considered as the father of United States professional soccer and the first commissioner of the original North American Soccer League. He played as striker for Manchester City, Sutton United, Leyton Orient, West Ham United, Aston Villa and the Atlanta Chiefs, and also played internationally  for […]

Ernest C. Quigley (1970 - 1970)

Major League Umpire, Basketball Referee, Member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. He graduated from the University of Kansas and from 1903 to 1912 was coach and then Atheletic Director at Saint Mary’s College in Kansas. During his 40-year career, he officiated at over 14,000 games to include four NCAA tournaments, three Rose Bowls and […]

Wallace “Wah Wah” Jones (1970 - 1970)

US Olympic Gold Medalist, Professional Basketball Player. He was a member of the 1948 US Basketball Gold Medal Squad. Born Wallace Clayton Jones, he attended Harlan High School in Kentucky and played collegiate basketball and football at the University of Kentucky. While with the Wildcats, Jones had the distinction of playing for two legendary coaches. […]

Murray Wier (1970 - 1970)

Professional Basketball Player.   Born Murray Neal Wier, he played the guard position for both the Tri-Cities Blackhawks and the Waterloo Hawks from 1948 to 1951.   He was a stellar four year starter at the University of Iowa where he was the NCAA Division I scoring leader and a consensus first team All-American in […]