February 13

Details of Kō no Morofuyu's early life remain obscure. He was a member of the Kō clan serving as a military governor under the Ashikaga shogunate. Morofuyu commanded forces during the Nanboku-chō conflicts between Northern and Southern Courts. His leadership helped secure strategic provinces in central Japan for the shogunate. He died in 1351, leaving a record of loyalty and martial skill in early Muromachi history.

Born in 1752 in Virginia, George Rogers Clark was an early American military leader and frontiersman. In 1778 he led the Illinois campaign, capturing the British-held forts at Kaskaskia and Vincennes. His victories secured the Northwest Territory for the United States and earned him the nickname Conqueror of the Old Northwest. Clark's innovative tactics and frontier diplomacy helped expand American influence beyond the Appalachian Mountains. After the war, he served as a surveyor and legislator before dying in poverty in 1818. His legacy is celebrated for shaping the early growth of the United States and for his role in westward expansion.

Peter Ludwig von der Pahlen was born in 1745 into Prussian nobility and entered Russian military service at a young age. Rising through the ranks, he became a trusted advisor to Tsar Paul I but later led the conspiracy that resulted in the tsar's assassination in March 1801. Under the new tsar, Alexander I, Pahlen was appointed Governor-General of the Baltic provinces, overseeing significant administrative reforms. His political career reflected the turbulent court intrigues of early 19th-century Russia. After a period of favor, he retired quietly and spent his final years in relative obscurity, dying in 1826. Pahlen's legacy remains tied to one of the most dramatic palace coups in Russian history.

Edward Berry was born in 1768 and joined the Royal Navy as a young teenager. He served aboard HMS Agamemnon under Captain Horatio Nelson and later participated in the Battle of the Nile in 1798. Promoted through the ranks, Berry commanded ships at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, earning recognition for his leadership and bravery. His naval career spanned key conflicts of the early 19th century, and he was awarded numerous honors for his service. Berry continued to influence naval tactics as a senior officer before his death in 1831. He remains remembered as a courageous and skilled commander of the Royal Navy.

Provo Wallis was born in 1791 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and entered the Royal Navy at the age of four as a midshipman. He saw action at the Siege of Toulon and the Battle of Trafalgar, where he served under Admiral Nelson. Wallis climbed the ranks over the decades, eventually becoming a full admiral and holding the honorary rank of Admiral of the Fleet. His service record, which lasted over 110 years, is one of the longest in naval history. Wallis was celebrated for his professionalism, leadership, and devotion to duty. He died in 1892 in London, leaving a legendary status in the annals of the Royal Navy.

André Beaufre was a French Army general renowned for his strategic acumen during and after World War II. He served as the Chief of the French Military Mission to the United Nations and contributed to NATO planning. Beaufre authored influential works on military theory, including 'An Introduction to Strategy' and personal memoirs of his service. His ideas on de Gaulle's strategy and the art of war remain studied in military academies today. He played a key role in shaping post-war French defense policy and NATO alliances.

Murtala Mohammed rose through the Nigerian Army to become the country's Head of State in 1975. During his brief tenure, he launched sweeping anti-corruption campaigns and reorganized the civil service. He introduced a new currency to curb fraud and emphasized national unity and Nigerian identity. His populist approach earned widespread public support and challenged entrenched bureaucratic interests. Tragically, his presidency lasted only six months before he was assassinated in 1976, cementing his status as a national martyr. His legacy endures in institutions and landmarks, including the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Born in 1911, Wayne Hays served as a lieutenant in the United States military before entering politics. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1948 and represented Ohio for nearly three decades. Hays chaired the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy and influenced key defense policies during the Cold War. His legislative work covered infrastructure, veterans' affairs, and national security issues. Despite a career marked by achievement, his tenure ended amid controversy in 1976, and he passed away in 1989.

Richard Gordon Wakeford was born in 1922 and joined the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. He advanced through the ranks to become an Air Marshal, serving as Vice-Chief of the Air Staff and contributing to Cold War air strategy. Known for his strategic vision, he played a pivotal role in modernizing RAF operations and aircraft procurement. Wakeford was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath for his distinguished service. After retiring, he remained active in defense consulting and aviation charities. He died in 2007, leaving a legacy of leadership and innovation in British military aviation.