The original ‘Lone Ranger’ was killed in WWII — but not by the enemy
By Claire Barrett
Aug 14, 2025, 02:06 PM
"The Lone Ranger" star Lee Powell traded Hollywood for the shores of the Pacific. (Navy/Find a Grave)
Amid the depths of the American Great Depression, came an American hero that enthralled over 17 million listeners during its debut from radio station WXYZ in Detroit.
Hitting the airwaves in 1933, “The Lone Ranger” depicted a character who was the sole survivor after his group of Texas Rangers was ambushed. Found near death by Tonto, a Native American, the Lone Ranger donned a mask and meted out justice on top of his horse, Silver.
Written by Fran Striker for WXYZ station owner George Trendle, “The Lone Ranger” quickly became a runaway hit, with 1.5 million listeners joining the official fan club after the show’s original debut.
https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/military-history/2025/08/14/the-original-lone-ranger-was-killed-in-wwii-but-not-by-the-enemy/
