Elzie Wylie "Buddy" Baker, Jr. (January 25, 1941 – August 10, 2015) 

Baker was an NASCAR driver and sports commentator. He died Monday at his
home in Catawba County,  North Caroline from inoperable lung cancer.

In 1997, Baker joined his father as an inductee into the International Motorsports
Hall of Fame in Talladega, Alabama. He, previously, had been inducted into the Charlotte Motor Speedway Court of Legends in 1995, and into the National
Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame in 1997. He was named one of
NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.

David Van Cortlandt Crosby was born in Los Angeles, California.

Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Crosby was a member of the classic rock bands
The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. He has been inducted into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: once for his work in The Byrds and once for
his work with CSN.

Clarence Leonidas "Leo" Fender (August 10, 1909 – March 21, 1991)

Fender was creator of the famous Fender brand of guitars. He also founded the 
Music Man and G&L Musical Instruments companies. During his early years he 
made money repairing radios as a teenager in California. In 2009, Leo Fender 
was awarded a Technical Grammy Award for contributions of outstanding
technical significance to the recording field. He never learned to play the
instruments which he made a career of building.

Samuel Pack "Sam" Elliott was born in Sacramento, California.

Elliott moved from California to Oregon with his family when he was a
teenager. He graduated from David Douglas High School in Portland 
and attended Clark College in Vancouver, Washington.

Sam Elliott was nominated for a Critics Choice Award for Best Acting
Ensemble for his small role as the Chief Pilot of American Airlines in
Up in the Air. He has performed voice-over narration for various
commercials.

1998

The initial Purple Heart, designated as the Badge of Military Merit, was established
by George Washington, then the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, by
order from his Newburgh, New York headquarters. The Badge of Military Merit was
only awarded to three Revolutionary War soldiers. From then on as its legend grew;
so did its appearance. Although never abolished, the award of the badge was not proposed again officially until after World War I.

The first Purple Heart, called a Badge of Merit, is depicted being awarded
by General George Washington.