January 18

Born around 1545 in the Faroe Islands, Heinason began his maritime career in Dutch service. He later sailed for Denmark as a privateer, capturing enemy vessels during Northern European conflicts. His daring exploits earned him knighthood and folk-hero status among Faroese seafarers. Political intrigue at the Danish court led to his arrest and execution in 1589. His life and tragic end have become legendary in Faroese culture.

Born in 1924 in Krasnodar, Irina Nikolaevna Levchenko volunteered as a military medic before transferring to the 1st Guards Tank Army. She quickly rose through the ranks, commanding tank crews during critical battles such as Kursk and the liberation of Ukraine. Levchenko earned the Order of the Patriotic War and multiple medals for her courage under fire. After the war, she continued her service in armored units and shared her experiences in memoirs and lectures. Her pioneering role challenged gender norms in the Soviet military and inspired future generations of female officers. Levchenko died in 1973, remembered as a trailblazer in military history.

Panteleimon Ponomarenko was a Soviet military leader and statesman born in 1902. He distinguished himself in the Red Army during World War II, rising to the rank of general. After the war, he served as First Secretary of the Communist Party of Byelorussian SSR from 1947 to 1950. Ponomarenko later held key positions in the Soviet government and diplomatic service. Known for his organizational skills, he played a major role in post-war reconstruction efforts. He remained an influential figure in Soviet politics until his death in 1984.

Born in 1915, Georg Lassen joined the Kriegsmarine and rose to prominence as commander of the U-160 submarine. He led multiple patrols in the Atlantic, sinking numerous Allied vessels and demonstrating tactical expertise. Lassen received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his wartime achievements. After the war, he authored memoirs detailing submarine operations and contributed to maritime research. His strategic leadership and resilience marked him as one of Germany's skilled naval commanders.