January 16

Born in 1757 in Woodford, Cheshire, Keats joined the Royal Navy at age 11 and rose through the ranks. He distinguished himself at the battles of Cape St Vincent and Trafalgar, commanding HMS Superb with skill. Keats implemented effective blockades against French ports and protected British maritime interests. In 1813, he served as Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland, improving defenses and local governance. He authored navigational treatises and was knighted for his excellence in naval warfare. Keats died in 1834, celebrated as one of Britain's finest seafaring commanders.

Born in 1807 in Boston, Davis graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and joined the Navy in 1824. He conducted critical coastal surveys for the U.S. Coast Survey, mapping American waterways. Davis spearheaded advancements in lighthouse construction, serving on the Lighthouse Board. During the Civil War, he commanded the Western Gunboat Flotilla on the Mississippi River campaigns. After the war, he continued scientific research and published influential papers on tidal phenomena. Davis died in 1877, revered for blending naval service with scientific innovation.

Born in New York in 1815, Halleck studied law and built a successful legal career before joining the military. He served with distinction in the Mexican–American War and was appointed General-in-Chief of the Union armies in 1862. Known for his organizational abilities and emphasis on logistics, he oversaw troop deployments and supply lines during critical campaigns. After leaving military command, he was involved in railroad management and academic pursuits. Halleck’s contributions to military administration shaped the Union war effort.

Born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1821, Breckinridge entered politics at a young age and was elected to the U.S. Senate by age 30. He served as Vice President under President James Buchanan from 1857 to 1861, becoming the youngest person elected to that office. Following his split from the Union, he joined the Confederate Army and rose to the rank of major general. Breckinridge also served as Confederate Secretary of War in 1865 before fleeing abroad. After returning to the United States, he practiced law and remained active in Democratic politics until his death in 1875.

Born in 1853, Hamilton graduated from the Royal Military College and served in colonial campaigns in Africa and India. He earned distinction in the Second Boer War, commanding cavalry and winning several engagements. During World War I, he was appointed commander of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force and planned the 1915 Gallipoli landings. The campaign faltered under supply and strategic challenges, leading to his recall in late 1915. Hamilton documented his experiences in published memoirs and remained a commentator on military strategy. He died in 1947, remembered for his role in one of the Great War’s most ambitious operations.

Evripidis Bakirtzis was a Greek military officer who later entered politics, bridging his experience on the battlefield with public service. He served in the Hellenic Army during a period of national change and helped guide political discourse in the interwar years. Bakirtzis advocated for the modernization of the armed forces and stability within the government. His dual career reflects the interconnected roles of military leadership and political governance in early 20th-century Greece.

Günther Prien (1908–1941) was a decorated German submarine commander regarded as one of the Kriegsmarine’s most successful U-boat captains. He achieved international fame in 1939 when he navigated U-47 into Scapa Flow and sank HMS Royal Oak, one of the Royal Navy’s capital ships. Prien’s daring raid earned him the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross and made him a hero in Nazi propaganda. Over the course of his career, he sank a total of 30 Allied ships, totaling over 200,000 tons. He disappeared at sea in 1941 during his tenth war patrol and was presumed killed in action. Prien’s legacy remains controversial due to the wartime context of his service.

Born in 1925, James Robinson Risner graduated from West Point and became a celebrated fighter pilot during the Korean War, earning the nickname “Tiger of Mishan.” In Vietnam, he commanded the 4th Fighter Wing and was shot down in 1965, enduring over seven years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi’s infamous camps. Risner’s courage and care for fellow captives inspired his colleagues and earned him the Silver Star and Purple Heart. After repatriation, he resumed his Air Force career, retiring as a brigadier general in 1978. His memoir, The Passing of the Night, chronicles his wartime experiences. Risner’s legacy endures through his leadership and valor.

Born in 1948, Ants Laaneots rose through the ranks of the Soviet and later Estonian military, ultimately serving as Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces from 2000 to 2006. He was instrumental in modernizing Estonia’s armed forces and preparing the country for NATO membership, which was achieved in 2004. After his tenure, he served as Deputy Minister of Defence and as a security advisor to the President of Estonia. Laaneots is recognized for his strategic leadership and contributions to national and international defense cooperation.