Famous people and celebrities who died in 1944

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1944. This year saw the loss of many influential and beloved figures who left a lasting impact on the world. From entertainment icons and sports legends to renowned scholars and public figures, our comprehensive list pays tribute to their lives and legacies. Join us in honoring their contributions and celebrating their achievements as we reflect on their remarkable stories.

• Jan. 11 Galeazzo Ciano

  Italian journalist and politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs during the Fascist era. He was a key figure in Mussolini's government and son-in-law of the dictator, ultimately executed for opposing Mussolini.

• Feb. 7 Lina Cavalieri

  Italian opera singer, actress, and monologist, she was once referred to as "the world's most beautiful woman".

• March 24 Orde Wingate

  Orde Wingate was a British major general who played a crucial role in World War II, organizing and leading special forces in Burma against Japanese troops. He was known for his innovative military tactics and strategic brilliance, significantly contributing to the Allied war effort.

• June 16 George Stinney Jr.

  African-American teenager who became a tragic symbol of racial injustice in the United States. At just 14 years old, he was wrongfully convicted and executed, making him the youngest person legally executed in the 20th century.

• July 1 Tanya Savicheva

  A young girl who documented the horrific siege of Leningrad during World War II through her poignant diary, symbolizing the immense suffering of children during the war.

• July 12 Theodore Roosevelt

  American politician and business leader who received the medal of honor. he was a veteran of both world wars. he was edith roosevelt's eldest child.

• July 20 Mildred Harris

  Mildred Harris was a prominent silent film actress during the early 20th century, known for her roles in numerous films during the golden age of Hollywood's silent era.

• July 21 Claus von Stauffenberg

  German military officer who led the most significant internal resistance attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler during World War II. He planted a bomb at Hitler's Wolf's Lair headquarters on July 20, 1944, which narrowly failed to kill the Nazi leader. After the plot's failure, he was executed by firing squad the same day.

• July 31 Antoine de Saint-Exupery

  Renowned French writer, aviator, and author of 'The Little Prince', who made significant contributions to aviation literature and children's books.

• Aug. 8 Michael Wittmann

  Legendary German tank commander during World War II, known as the 'Black Baron' and one of the most successful tank commanders in history.

• Aug. 12 Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.

  American naval lieutenant and pilot who died heroically during a special mission in World War II, known for his sacrifice and being part of the famous Kennedy family.

• Aug. 26 Adam von Trott zu Solz

  German diplomat and resistance member who opposed Nazi regime, involved in the July 20 plot to assassinate Hitler and subsequently executed.

• Sept. 13 Noor Inayat Khan

  Noor Inayat Khan was a courageous British spy of Indian descent who worked for the Special Operations Executive during World War II, risking her life to support the Allied resistance in Nazi-occupied France. She was the first female radio operator sent into France and was posthumously awarded the George Cross for her exceptional bravery.

• Sept. 18 Robert G. Cole

  Robert G. Cole was a heroic American Army colonel who received the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary bravery during World War II, tragically killed in action in 1944.

• Sept. 19 Guy Gibson

  Guy Gibson was a distinguished Royal Air Force pilot and commander during World War II, famous for leading the legendary 'Dambusters' raid against German dams. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his exceptional bravery and leadership in Operation Chastise.

• Oct. 7 Helmut Lent

  Prominent German Luftwaffe night fighter pilot during World War II, known for his significant aerial combat achievements.

• Oct. 8 Wendell Willkie

  Wendell Willkie was an American lawyer and politician who was the Republican Party's nominee in the 1940 presidential election.

• Oct. 23 Charles Glover Barkla

  Nobel Prize laureate for his discovery of the characteristic Röntgen radiation of the elements

• Oct. 23 Hana Brady

  Jewish-Czech Holocaust victim who tragically died at Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II, symbolizing the innocent victims of Nazi persecution.

• Nov. 5 Alexis Carrel

  MED - French surgeon and biologist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1873)

• Nov. 9 Miklós Radnóti

  A renowned Hungarian poet and translator who wrote profound and haunting poetry during the Holocaust, documenting the human suffering and tragedy of World War II. His works are considered significant testimonies of the Jewish experience during Nazi persecution.

• Nov. 9 Frank Marshall

  Renowned American chess grandmaster, theoretician, and one of the strongest chess players in the early 20th century United States.

• Nov. 22 Arthur Eddington

  Arthur Eddington was a British astrophysicist who is best known for his work on the theory of relativity and his observations that confirmed Einstein's predictions.

• Dec. 2 Eiji Sawamura

  Famous Japanese baseball player and soldier who died during World War II, known for his exceptional pitching skills and tragic early death.

• Dec. 10 John Brunt

  British military hero awarded the Victoria Cross for exceptional bravery during World War II, killed in action in 1944.

• Dec. 13 Lupe Velez

  Mexican-American actress known for her fiery personality and prominent roles in Hollywood during the Golden Age of cinema, particularly in the 1930s and 1940s.

• Dec. 15 Glenn Miller

  Legendary big band leader and trombonist who revolutionized swing music during the 1930s and 1940s. He was a pivotal figure in American popular music, creating iconic hits that defined the swing era. Miller tragically disappeared during a World War II military flight in 1944.

• Dec. 22 Harry Langdon

  American actor, comedian, and vaudevillian (b. 1884)

• Dec. 30 Romain Rolland

  LIT - French writer and Nobel Prize laureate known for his novel 'Jean-Christophe'.

What happened in 1944?

Discover what the world looked like in 1944: