Ketchel (Kiecal), Stanley (Stanislaus) 'Steve' b. September 14, 1886 d. October 15, 1910 Professional Boxer. A feared puncher called the "Michigan Assassin", he had a spectacular albeit short career and is considered by many to have been the greatest middleweight of all time. Born Stanislaw Kiecal to a Polish immigrant family, he was initially raised in West Michigan but, though devoted to his parents, left home for Montana in his early teens. (Indeed, it is said that he stoked himself into a rage before each fight by imagining that his opponent of the evening had insulted his...[Read More] (Bio by: Bob Hufford) Cause of death: Murdered by gunshot Holy Cross Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA
Pierce, Francis Junior b. December 7, 1924 d. December 21, 1986 WW II Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. Pharmacist's Mate First Class, U.S. Navy serving with 2d Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division at the Iwo Jima campaign. On March 15, 1945, under heavy enemy fire he took charge of rendering first aid and the evacuation of wounded casualties. To save two patients, he deliberately exposed himself to Japanese attackers from a cave and with the last of his ammunition he destroyed there position Lifting the first wounded man to his back, he...[Read More] (Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith) Holy Cross Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA
b. September 14, 1886 d. October 15, 1910