January 15

Emerging from a family of military leaders, Wang Jingchong rose through the ranks in the late Tang dynasty. As a jiedushi (military governor), he held both civil and martial authority in his assigned region. He navigated the shifting allegiances of the Five Dynasties era, pledging loyalty to successive courts to maintain his domain. Known for his strategic acumen, Wang balanced force with diplomatic outreach to neighboring warlords. He died in 950, his career epitomizing the complex power dynamics of early 10th-century China.

William Alexander, known as Lord Stirling, was born in 1726 in New Jersey and claimed a Scottish title through his ancestry. He served with distinction under General George Washington, notably at the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. Stirling commanded brigades of Continental troops and demonstrated leadership despite limited resources. After the war, he was elected to the Continental Congress but struggled with debt. He died in 1783, honored as a dedicated patriot and respected military commander.

Jiang Zhongyuan (1812–1854) was a Qing dynasty scholar-official who achieved his jinshi degree in 1833. He is best known for leading local militia forces in Guangxi province to defend Guilin against Taiping rebels. Combining Confucian scholarship with military skill, he personally oversaw defensive works and trained civilians in arms. Despite fierce resistance, he was killed in battle, becoming a martyr for the imperial cause. He is remembered for his patriotic loyalty and contributions to regional defense during one of China's most turbulent rebellions.

Born in 1880, Kullervo Manner began his career as a journalist before rising in the Social Democratic Party of Finland. He was elected Speaker of the Finnish Parliament in 1917 and became Prime Minister of the short-lived Finnish Socialist Workers’ Republic in 1918. As Supreme Commander of the Red Guards during the Finnish Civil War, he led revolutionary forces against the White Army. After the defeat of the Red Guards, Manner fled to Soviet Russia, where he continued political work and editing communist publications. He spent his later years in exile and died in Leningrad in 1939, remembered for his central role in Finland’s early 20th-century turmoil.

Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold (June 25, 1886 – January 15, 1950) was one of the most influential figures in American military aviation. He graduated from West Point in 1907 and became an early military aviator, helping establish the Air Service during World War I. Arnold commanded the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II and orchestrated its massive expansion into the world's largest air armada. He was the only U.S. Air Force officer to hold five-star rank in two services, being named Field Marshal of the Royal Air Force and General of the Army. In 1947 he became the first Chief of Staff of the newly independent U.S. Air Force, shaping its doctrine and organization. Known for his visionary leadership, he promoted air power as essential to modern warfare and national defense. Under his command, American aircrews pioneered strategic bombing and air superiority tactics that were decisive in the Allied victory.

Ernest Dunlop Swinton (January 29, 1868 – January 15, 1951) served in the British Army during the Second Boer War and World War I. He was a pioneer of armored warfare and played a key role in the development and deployment of the first British tanks in 1916. Swinton coined the word "tank" as a code name for the new armored vehicles to maintain secrecy. He authored influential military writings and advocated for mechanized forces, shaping modern armored doctrine. After the war, he served as a military attaché and wrote both technical studies and fiction inspired by his experiences. His ideas laid the groundwork for future generations of tank designers and commanders.

Nikolai Vekšin (1887 – January 15, 1951) served as a naval officer in the Imperial Russian Navy before Estonia’s independence. He transferred to the Estonian Navy and held command of several vessels, contributing to the young nation’s maritime defenses. A skilled navigator and leader, he trained new officers and helped establish naval protocols for Estonia. Vekšin’s career spanned a period of immense political upheaval, and he remained dedicated to seafaring service throughout his life. He is remembered for his expertise at sea and his role in shaping Estonia’s naval traditions.

Edward Michael "Ned" Hanlon (June 29, 1887 – January 15, 1952) served as a sergeant in the Australian Imperial Force during World War I, fighting at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. After the war he entered politics as a member of the Australian Labor Party and was elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly in 1932. Hanlon held various ministerial portfolios before becoming Premier of Queensland in 1946, a post he held until his death. His government expanded social services, education, and infrastructure, laying the groundwork for postwar prosperity. Known for his pragmatic leadership and commitment to working-class interests, he remains a significant figure in Queensland’s political history.

Yos Sudarso (July 19, 1925 – January 15, 1962) was a commodore in the Indonesian Navy and a prominent figure in Indonesia’s struggle to assert sovereignty over West New Guinea. He commanded a flotilla during the Battle of Arafura Sea, where his flagship sank and he was reported missing. Sudarso’s sacrifice galvanized national unity and his name was later given to a major Indonesian naval base and a class of warships. He began his career studying at the Naval Academy in Surabaya and quickly rose through the ranks based on skill and leadership. Regarded as a symbol of dedication and patriotism, he was posthumously declared a national hero by the Indonesian government.

Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti was a leading figure in Iraq's intelligence apparatus and a member of Saddam Hussein's inner circle. Born in 1951, he rose to head the Directorate of General Security, overseeing internal surveillance and control. He was implicated in widespread human rights abuses, including the suppression of political dissent. After the fall of Saddam's regime in 2003, he was captured, tried for crimes against humanity, and sentenced to death. He was executed in 2007, closing a chapter on one of the regime's most feared officials. His tenure remains studied for its impact on state security methods.

Born in 1908, Bo Yibo rose through the ranks of the Chinese Communist Party during its revolutionary period. He took on key military roles in the struggle against Japanese occupation and later in the Chinese Civil War. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Bo served as Minister of Finance before becoming one of the nation's Vice Premiers. He was known for his strategic vision and pragmatic leadership during China's early economic development. Despite facing political persecution during the Cultural Revolution, Bo was rehabilitated and helped guide reform policies in the late 1970s and 1980s. His long career bridged the revolutionary era and modern governance, making him one of China's most enduring political figures.

Pierre Louis-Dreyfus (1908-2011) was born into the prominent Louis-Dreyfus trading family and served as a soldier during World War II. After the war, he pursued a passion for motorsport, competing in prestigious events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In addition to his racing career, Louis-Dreyfus played a pivotal role in managing and expanding his family's global commodities firm. His unique blend of military service, sporting achievement, and business leadership exemplified a life of versatility and determination. He remained active in both corporate and sporting circles well into his later years.