Biografie

15. Mai 1908 · Long Beach, Kalifornien, USA

30. Juli 1944 · Tinian, Nördliche Marianen (im Zweiten Weltkrieg gefallen)

Lee Berrien Powell

Although it had been assumed that Powell was killed in action during the fighting on Tinian Island in the South Pacific, author James Wise examined Powell's Marine Corps files and spoke to ex-Marines who were in Powell's unit at the time. The files do not mention anything about Powell being killed in combat but state that he died of poisoning. It turned out that Powell's unit had survived a particularly bloody encounter with attacking Japanese forces, and after the battle they celebrated their victory by drinking a "homemade" brew concocted by some fellow Marines. Powell was taken ill and later died, another Marine with him was hospitalized and temporarily blinded for several weeks - a sure sign that Powell's death was caused by acute alcohol poisoning from the concoction they were drinking.

He is best remembered today as the first to portray "The Lone Ranger" (1938) on screen and as Captain Roka in the cult serial classic "Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe" (1940).

While working as a trick rider for the Barnett Brothers Circus, Powell met and married Norma Rogers, the daughter of the Ray W. Rogers, the owner.