January 16, 1942 - Actress Carole Lombard Dies in Airplane Crash
Fort Wayne Native
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Indiana History Stories Book 2
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January 16, 1942 - Actress Carole Lombard Dies in Airplane Crash - Fort Wayne Native
Fort Wayne native and popular movie star Carol Lombard dies in an airplane crash. She had just attended a War Bond Rally in Indianapolis, raising two million dollars.
Carol Lombard
Born in Fort Wayne, Lombard's mother had taken her to Los Angeles, California when she was eight years old after she and her husband separated. Appearing in her first movie at age twelve, she signed with Fox at sixteen, receiving small parts in movies. A car accident had left a scar on her cheek, thus Fox did not renew her contract. Paramount signed her in 1930. She starred in many movies for Paramount, receiving many awards and accolades during her short career. When World War II broke out in 1941, many actors and actors joined the effort, going on War Bond Tours to help raise money for the war effort.
War Bonds
World War II cost the United States over $300 billion dollars to fight. To raise money for the war effort, the Federal Government sold "War Bonds." These bonds cost $18.75 to purchase. Ten years after the date of purchase, the holder could redeem the bond from the government for $25.00. Many of the Hollywood stars and other celebrities traveled the country raising money for war bonds.
Death of Carol Lombard
Lombard had traveled to her home state of Indiana to attend a War Bond event in Indianapolis. Lombard's popularity with the public enabled her to raise over two million dollars during the event, an incredible amount in 1942. .After the event, she was supposed to return to Hollywood by train. She wanted to return to California faster than a train would take her. She had attended with husband Clark Gable's, agent Otto Winkler and her mother. Winkler had wanted to travel by train, so the two tossed a coin. Winkler lost, so the three boarded a Transcontinental and Western Air Douglas DST. The flight took them to Las Vegas, Nevada, where it landed. Continuing on to Los Angeles after refueling, the plane struck the 8300-foot Peak of Potosi Mountain. All on board died instantly in the crash.