February 07

Hugo Sperrle began his military career as a volunteer in World War I and quickly rose through the ranks. In World War II he led Luftflotte 3, orchestrating air operations over France and Belgium. Sperrle played a central role in the Battle of Britain and the Blitz campaigns against the UK. After the western campaign, he commanded forces in the Mediterranean and Balkans theaters. He was tried at the Nuremberg Trials but acquitted of war crimes in 1948. Sperrle retired to Germany and wrote his memoirs before his death in 1953. His career reflects both the rise of aerial warfare and its strategic impact on modern conflict.

Amedeo Guillet was an Italian cavalry officer whose exploits earned him the nickname 'Devil Colonel.' He fought in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War and later led guerrilla raids against British forces in East Africa. Renowned for his bold tactics and use of traditional cavalry in modern warfare, he became a wartime legend. After WWII, he served in diplomatic posts and worked with the United Nations. He maintained a lifelong passion for horses and equestrian sports. He lived to 100, recounting his adventures in memoirs and interviews.

Desmond Doss was a Seventh-day Adventist and conscientious objector who enlisted in the U.S. Army as a medic in 1942. He refused to carry a weapon but braved intense combat at battles such as Okinawa to rescue over 75 wounded soldiers. His extraordinary courage under fire saved countless lives and inspired his comrades. In 1945, he became the first conscientious objector in U.S. history to receive the Medal of Honor for his actions at Hacksaw Ridge. After the war, he returned home to Virginia and worked as a carpenter, living a modest life. His faith and steadfast dedication to saving lives under brutal conditions have made him a lasting symbol of valor and conviction.

Lincoln D. Faurer was commissioned into the United States Air Force after graduating in 1950. Over his career, he specialized in aerial reconnaissance and signals intelligence during critical phases of the Cold War. In 1981, Faurer was appointed Director of the National Security Agency, where he led major modernization efforts in cryptanalysis and electronic surveillance. He strengthened alliances with allied intelligence agencies and expanded satellite-based reconnaissance programs. Retiring in 1985, he continued to advise on intelligence policy and cybersecurity until his passing in 2014, leaving a legacy of leadership during a pivotal era of national defense.

Alfred Worden graduated from the United States Military Academy and served as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Selected by NASA in 1966, he was the Command Module Pilot on Apollo 15, the fourth crewed mission to land on the Moon. During the mission, Worden conducted extensive photographic surveys and scientific experiments from lunar orbit. After retiring from NASA and the Air Force in 1975, he worked in aerospace consulting and lectured on space exploration. Worden passed away in 2020, celebrated for his contributions to one of NASA's most scientifically productive lunar missions.