Mickey Rooney Mickey Rooney Mickey Rooney (born Joseph Yule Jr.; September 23, 1920 – April 6, 2014) was an American actor, vaudevillian, comedian, producer and radio personality. In a career spanning nine decades and continuing until shortly before his death, he appeared in more than 300 films and was one of the last surviving stars of the silent film era. At the height of a career that was marked by precipitous declines and raging comebacks, Rooney performed the role of Andy Hardy in a series of 15 films in the 1930s and 1940s that epitomized American family values. A versatile performer, he
Joseph W. Finch Jr. Joseph W. Finch Jr. Joseph Warren Finch Jr., born 8 March 1920 in Chicago, Illinois, was appointed ensign in the United States Naval Reserve on 28 May 1941. He was killed in action in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 13 November 1942, when his ship "Laffey" (DD-459) was sunk. Lieutenant (junior grade) Finch shared posthumously in the Presidential Unit Citation awarded his ship for its outstanding performance in action against the Japanese in the Southwest Pacific from 15 September until its loss. Joe graduated from University City Senior High School in suburban St. Louis. His senior year, he was the