Other Famous Missourians Trivia Quiz

Answer: John J. Pershing

John "Black Jack" Pershing was born on a farm near Laclede. He attended college in Kirksville, Mo. before going on to the US military academy at West Point, New York. His nickname, "Black Jack", came from his early command of African-American troops in both the western Indian campaigns and the Spanish-American War.

Although his 1916-1917 expedition into Mexico failed to capture Pancho Villa he was placed in charge of all US troops sent to France in World War One. He died in Washington D.C. in 1948.

Answer: Sheryl Crow

After graduating from University of Missouri-Columbia, Sheryl Crow taught music in Fenton, Missouri for a while. Later, she toured with Michael Jackson on his "Bad" world tour. Her big break came in 1994 when the song "All I Wanna Do" from her debut album "Tuesday Night Music Club" became a smash hit. The album earned her three Grammy awards.

Answer: Rush Limbaugh

Rush Limbaugh's broadcasting career began as a teenager in Cape Girardeau. After bouncing around various radio stations in the 1970s, and even working in the promotions department of the Kansas City Royals, Limbaugh finally hit the big time in the late 1980s with a nationally syndicated radio talkshow from New York City.

The Limbaugh family is still active in Missouri Republican politics. An uncle and a cousin are both federal judges.

Answer: Omar Bradley

Born in Clark, Mo., Omar Bradley moved to Moberly at age 13 after his father's death and mother's remarriage. He was a West Point classmate of General (later President) Eisenhower and the two were life-long friends. After leading US Army forces to victory over Germany in the Second World War, he returned home to head the Veterans Administration.

He retired in 1953 with the five-star rank of General of the Army. The M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, used by US forces today, is named in his honor.

Answer: Carl Edwards

Known for his trademark backflip after each victory, Carl began his racing career at small dirt tracks in mid-Missouri. AFLAC has been a sponsor of Carl Edwards #99 Ford for several years and he has appeared in several of their commercials with the duck mascot. Carl was crowned the 2007 NASCAR Nationwide Series champion.

By the way, the other three drivers on the multiple choice are from the midwest as well: Mark Martin - Batesville, Arkansas; Rusty Wallace - Fenton, Missouri; and Clint Bowyer - Emporia, Kansas.

Answer: Yogi Berra

Almost as famous for his quotes, like "it ain't over til its over" and "90 percent of the game is half mental", as he is for his stellar playing, Lawrence "Yogi" Berra grew up in St. Louis. The Cardinals however chose fellow St. Louis native and baseball great Joe Garagiola over Yogi. Berra is one of only six Major League managers to manage both an American and a National League team in a World Series.

Answer: Nelly

Born Cornell Haynes Jr., Nelly gave the rap world and the dance floors a much-needed dose of midwest flavor in 2000 with the hit song and album "Country Grammar". He often pays homage to his hometown of St. Louis in songs, videos, and dress. By the way, former Doobie Brother Michael McDonald was also raised in the St. Louis area. County music legend Porter Wagoner grew up in southern Missouri. Rapper Eminem spent time in St. Joseph, Missouri as a child.

Answer: Ken Lay

Ken Lay was born the son of a Baptist preacher in Tyrone, Missouri in 1942. He later attended University of Missouri-Columbia. He helped form Enron Corporation in 1985. At the time of his 2006 death Lay was awaiting sentencing after being convicted of conspiracy and fraud.

Answer: George Washington Carver

Credited with finding over 300 uses for the peanut, and hundreds more for other legumes like soybeans, George Washington Carver grew up in Diamond, just south of Joplin, Missouri. He perhaps more than anyone helped shatter the racist stereotype of the 19th and early 20th centuries that African-Americans were intellectually inferior.

Answer: Randall "Duke" Cunningham

Born in California, but raised in Shelby County, Missouri, "Duke" Cunningham served twenty years in the US Navy after graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Flying an F-4 Phantom, he became the only Navy "ace" of the Viet Nam War. Later he helped create, and instruct at, the Navy's "Top Gun" school in San Diego.

After his retirement from the military Cunningham won a seat in Congress in 1990. However, his political career went down in flames in 2005 when he pled guilty to accepting bribes, mail fraud, and tax evasion.

He was sentenced to eight years in prison for the crimes.