January 24

Born in 1672, Albert Frederick was a member of the Brandenburg-Schwedt line of the Prussian royal family. He pursued a military career in the Prussian army, rising to the rank of lieutenant general. Albert Frederick commanded troops during the wars of his era and was known for his disciplined leadership. He managed his family's estates with a keen interest in architecture and local governance. His life reflects the blend of noble duty and military service characteristic of Prussia's emergence as a European power.

Born on January 24, 1739, in Rouen, Houchard entered military service under the Ancien Régime and continued his career during the French Revolution. Appointed commander of the Army of the North, he achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of Hondschoote in September 1793, lifting the siege of Dunkirk by British and Austrian forces. Despite this success, political intrigue and accusations of misconduct led to his arrest by revolutionary authorities. Tried by the Revolutionary Tribunal, he was executed by guillotine in November 1793. Houchard's brief tenure highlights the danger faced by military leaders amid revolutionary fervor. His triumph at Hondschoote remains his most celebrated achievement.

Andrew Ellicott (1754–1820) was an American soldier who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He became the first United States Surveyor General in 1796 and surveyed the boundaries of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. Ellicott played a key role in defining the borders of the new federal district that became Washington, D.C. He also taught astronomy and surveying to Benjamin Banneker. His detailed maps and boundary markers established standards for American cartography and land policy in the nation’s early years.

Louis Klein (1761–1845) was a French military leader who rose from the enlisted ranks to the rank of general of division during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Created Baron of the Empire in 1808, he commanded cavalry and infantry units in various European campaigns. Klein saw action in major battles across Europe under Napoleon’s leadership. He was known for his tactical skill and loyalty to the Emperor. After Napoleon’s abdication, he briefly fell into disfavor before retiring from military service and living out his later years in France.

Louis Alexandre Andrault de Langeron (1763–1831) was a French nobleman who emigrated to serve in the Imperial Russian Army during the French Revolution. He rose to the rank of general and took part in key Napoleonic campaigns, including the War of the Third Coalition and the 1812 campaign against France. Known for his leadership and tactical skill, De Langeron later led operations in the Balkans and southeastern Europe. After his military career, he was appointed governor of Kherson province in present-day Ukraine, implementing administrative and land reforms. His cross-cultural service exemplifies the complex loyalties and careers of European officers in the Napoleonic era.

Gaetano Giardino was born in Alessandria in 1864 and embarked on a military career in the Royal Italian Army. He saw action in the Italo-Turkish War (1911-1912) before rising to senior command during World War I, where he led key operations on the Italian Front. His strategic skills and leadership earned him promotion to Lieutenant General. In 1926, Giardino was honored with the title Marshal of Italy, the highest rank within the Italian military hierarchy. He remained a respected figure in interwar Italy until his death in 1935, leaving a legacy of professionalism and service.

Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (1889–1968) was a German paratroop general in World War II. He began his military career during World War I and later joined the Luftwaffe parachute forces. Ramcke commanded the 2nd Parachute Assault Regiment during the Battle of Crete in 1941. He led a specialized brigade in North Africa, earning the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. In the Tunisian campaign, his unit became renowned for its bravery despite being cut off behind enemy lines. After the war, Ramcke was briefly detained by Allied forces and later engaged in veterans' affairs in West Germany. He remained a controversial figure due to his outspoken nationalist views until his death in 1968.

Walter Model (1891–1945) was a German field marshal noted for his tenacious defensive tactics on the Eastern Front. A veteran of World War I, he rose through the ranks of the Reichswehr in the interwar period. During World War II, Model commanded the 3rd Panzer Division and later the 9th Army in Operation Barbarossa. His ability to rapidly stabilize front lines earned him the nickname "Führer's Fireman." Model was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords for his leadership under pressure. In early 1945 he led Army Group B in the defense of the Ruhr Pocket against overwhelming Allied forces. Facing inevitable defeat, he chose to end his life in April 1945. Model's legacy remains controversial due to his unwavering loyalty to Hitler.

Hoyt Vandenberg (1899–1954) graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1923 and joined the Army Air Corps. During World War II, he commanded heavy bomber operations in Europe as head of the Eighth Air Force. In 1946 he served as deputy commander of U.S. occupation forces in Germany. In 1948 he became the second Chief of Staff of the newly independent U.S. Air Force, shaping its early doctrine. He advocated for strategic bombing and atomic deterrence during the emerging Cold War. After retiring in 1953, Vandenberg Air Force Base in California was named in his honor. His leadership helped establish the foundations of the modern U.S. Air Force. Vandenberg remains remembered for his strategic vision and administrative skill.

Born January 24, 1912, in Buckingham, Virginia, Ashworth graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1933 and served on surface ships before joining the Navy's nuclear weapons program. He was the senior military aide aboard the USS Indianapolis and part of the mission crew on the Enola Gay for the bombing of Hiroshima. After World War II he oversaw Operation Crossroads nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll. He later held senior commands in the Pacific Fleet during the 1950s and became known for his expertise in naval operations. Ashworth retired as vice admiral in 1965 and was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his service.