January 18

César Cui was born in Vilnius in 1835 and embarked on a career as an engineer-officer in the Imperial Russian Army. While rising to the rank of general, he cultivated a parallel vocation as a composer and music critic. As part of the 'Mighty Handful'—a group including Balakirev, Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Borodin—he championed a distinctly Russian musical style. Cui composed operas, art songs, and instrumental works known for their lyrical melodies and incorporation of folk elements. His critical writings and reviews helped shape public opinion and supported the growth of Russian nationalist music. Balancing military discipline with artistic innovation, Cui left a multifaceted legacy in both the arts and the armed forces.

Kantarō Suzuki was born in Satsuma Domain in 1868 and joined the Imperial Japanese Navy at a young age. He saw action in the First Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War, rising through the ranks to become an admiral. Suzuki later turned to politics and served as Minister of the Navy before being appointed Prime Minister in April 1945. During his tenure, he navigated Japan through the final stages of World War II and the decision to surrender. After the war, he was briefly held under occupation charges but was released without trial. He remained a respected elder statesman until his death in 1948.

Henri Giraud graduated from the Saint-Cyr military academy and served with distinction in World War I, where he was wounded three times. Captured during the Battle of Arras in 1916, he famously escaped from German captivity in 1918. Between the wars, he held various staff and command positions in the French Army. During World War II, he escaped from a prisoner-of-war camp in 1942 and rallied Free French forces in North Africa. He co-chaired the French Committee of National Liberation with Charles de Gaulle before resigning over strategic differences. After the war, Giraud entered politics for a short period but withdrew from public life until his death in 1949.

Born in 1917 in Bayonne, New Jersey, Nicholas Oresko joined the U.S. Army in 1942. As a platoon sergeant during the Battle of the Bulge, he led an assault on German bunkers near Oberhoffen, France. Despite being wounded, he destroyed two enemy pillboxes and secured his unit's advance. For his extraordinary heroism, he received the Medal of Honor from President Truman in 1945. He continued serving in the Army Reserve, retiring as a master sergeant. Oresko was one of the last surviving Medal of Honor recipients from World War II when he died in 2013.

Born in 1923, John Graham was commissioned into the British Army during World War II. He served in various regimental and staff roles before rising to senior command. From 1976 to 1979, he was General Officer Commanding Wales, overseeing regional defense and civil support. He held staff appointments at the Ministry of Defence and attended the Imperial Defence College. Decorated with the Order of the Bath and appointed CBE for his service. He retired in 1980 and passed away in 2012 after a distinguished military career.

Chun Doo-hwan (1931–2021) was a South Korean army general who seized power in a 1979 coup and became the nation’s fifth president. His administration focused on economic growth and modernization amid political unrest, overseeing rapid industrial development known as the 'Miracle on the Han River.' Chun’s tenure was marked by authoritarian rule and the controversial suppression of pro-democracy movements, most notably the Gwangju Uprising. He initiated constitutional reforms that retained strong presidential powers while permitting limited political liberalization. After leaving office in 1988, Chun faced legal trials for his role in the coup and the Gwangju crackdown. He was later pardoned but remained a divisive figure in South Korea’s journey toward democracy.