January 30

William Montacute (1301-1344) was an English nobleman and the first Earl of Salisbury. A close companion of King Edward III, he fought in rebellions in Scotland and the early stages of the Hundred Years' War. He was captured at the Battle of Neville's Cross but later released and continued to serve the crown. He founded the Montacute dynasty and built the Salisbury family’s power base in Wiltshire. His military leadership and loyalty to Edward III earned him significant royal favor. His lineage went on to play a vital role in English politics for generations.

Born in 1895 in Australia, Coningham served with distinction in both World Wars. He pioneered close air support and integrated air-ground operations during the North African campaign. As commander of the Desert Air Force, he emphasized speed, flexibility, and cooperation with ground forces. His leadership contributed to Allied victories in Egypt, Tunisia, and Italy. Coningham's tactical innovations shaped postwar air force doctrines worldwide.

Jean-Pierre Aumont was born in 1911 into a family of actors and launched his stage career in Paris before appearing on screen in the 1930s. During World War II, he enlisted in the Free French Forces, seeing combat in North Africa and Europe and earning the Croix de Guerre for bravery. After the war, he enjoyed an international acting career, starring in French classics and Hollywood productions alongside major stars. Known for his charisma and versatility, Aumont also directed and produced films. His marriages to actresses Maria Montez and Jacqueline Bonet captured public fascination. He continued to perform into his eighties, leaving behind a body of work that spans genres and continents. He died on January 30, 2001, as one of France’s enduring screen icons.

Johnnie Johnson was born in 1915 and joined the Royal Air Force in 1936. Flying Supermarine Spitfires during the Battle of Britain and beyond, he achieved 38 confirmed aerial victories, making him the top-scoring Western Allied ace of World War II. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and Distinguished Flying Cross for his valor and leadership. After the war, he rose to the rank of air marshal and held senior command positions, shaping RAF tactics and training. Johnson authored memoirs recounting his combat experiences and was honored by several allied nations. He died on January 30, 2001, remembered as one of aviation’s most legendary figures.

Born in Warsaw, Bałuk joined the Home Army and fought in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. As an amateur photographer, he risked his life capturing images of conflict and civilian suffering. After the war, he continued his military service, rising to the rank of Brigadier General in the Polish Army. He later specialized in wildlife and portrait photography, exhibiting his work internationally. Bałuk's wartime photographs provide a rare visual record of civilian resistance under Nazi occupation. He received numerous honors, including the Armia Krajowa Cross and Polish arts awards. His dual legacy as soldier and artist offers a moving testament to the power of photography in wartime remembrance.