January 12

Born in 1716, Antonio de Ulloa embarked on a distinguished career in the Spanish Navy and military service. He contributed to scientific exploration, notably serving on an expedition to South America where he documented astronomical observations and natural history. In 1766, he was appointed as the first Spanish Governor of Louisiana, overseeing colonial administration and trade in the Mississippi Valley. Ulloa's governance faced challenges from local settlers, culminating in the Louisiana Rebellion of 1768. Despite this, his tenure marked the beginning of over four decades of Spanish influence in the region. He later resumed naval service and continued his scientific pursuits until his death in 1795. His legacy bridges military leadership, colonial governance, and early scientific exploration.

Born in 1721 into the ducal family of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, Duke Ferdinand began his military career at a young age. He entered Prussian service and rose through the ranks due to his tactical acumen and leadership skills. As a field marshal, he commanded allied forces against French armies in western Germany during the Seven Years' War. His victories at battles such as Minden solidified his reputation as a capable commander. Ferdinand's strategic decisions helped maintain alliances between Prussia and Great Britain. After the war, he served as governor of Hanover and continued to influence military affairs. He died in 1792, leaving behind a legacy of military excellence.

Born in Constantinople in 1876, Çakmak rose through the Ottoman military ranks and fought in the Balkan Wars and World War I. He joined Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in the Turkish War of Independence and was appointed Chief of the General Staff in 1921. Çakmak briefly served as Prime Minister of the Provisional Government, helping to secure international recognition for the new republic. As a leading military figure, he shaped Turkey’s armed forces and national defense strategy in the early republic. His leadership left a lasting impact on modern Turkish military and politics until his death in 1950.

Hermann Göring was born in 1893 and became a celebrated fighter pilot in World War I, earning the Pour le Mérite for his aerial victories. After the war, he joined the Nazi Party and rose through its ranks as a key political ally to Adolf Hitler. Appointed commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe in 1935, Göring played a central role in rebuilding Germany’s air power and orchestrating the 1936 Berlin Olympics. He also held numerous high offices, including President of the Reichstag and Minister President of Prussia. During World War II, he directed industrial mobilization under the Four Year Plan and was implicated in war crimes and the Holocaust. Captured by Allied forces in 1945, he was tried at Nuremberg and sentenced to death but committed suicide the night before his execution. Göring’s legacy remains intertwined with the atrocities of the Third Reich.

Born in Arizona in 1923 as a member of the Pima tribe, Ira Hayes enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942. He served in the Pacific Theater and took part in the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. On February 23, 1945, he was one of six men photographed raising the U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi, an image that became an enduring symbol of American resolve. Hayes returned home as a national hero but struggled with post-traumatic stress and alcoholism. He became an advocate for Native American rights in his later years. Tragically, he died in 1955 at the age of 32. His legacy lives on in memorials and the iconic photograph that defined his service.