February 16

Gaspard II de Coligny was a French nobleman and Admiral of France, notable leader of the Huguenot faction during the French Wars of Religion. Born in 1519, he served in the Italian Wars and strengthened French naval power. A convert to Protestantism, he advocated for religious tolerance and led Huguenot forces in multiple conflicts. Coligny sought an alliance with England to support Protestant causes and influenced royal policy under Charles IX. His prominence made him a target in the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre of 1572, during which he was assassinated. Coligny's military expertise and political strategies left a lasting impact on the Protestant movement in France.

Pichegru joined the French Revolutionary Army and distinguished himself with bold leadership at the Battle of Arlon and the Siege of Mainz. As commander of the Army of the North, he led successful campaigns across Belgium and captured Brussels in 1794. He then commanded the Army of the Rhine, securing key positions along the Rhine River. Despite his military successes, Pichegru grew disillusioned with revolutionary ideals and became involved in royalist conspiracies. Accused of treason, he was arrested in 1795 and later died under mysterious circumstances in prison. His career underscores the turbulent interplay of politics and warfare during the French Revolution.

Born in 1905, Henrietta Barnett joined the Women's Royal Air Force during a time of expanding opportunities for female service members. She served with dedication through critical periods of the mid-20th century. Her leadership and expertise helped shape personnel and training protocols for women in the RAF. Barnett's career exemplified the increasing integration of women into the British armed forces. She retired with honor and left a legacy of service when she passed away in 1985.

Born in Buffalo, New York, in 1920, Anna Mae Hays enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps during World War II. She served with distinction in Europe, Korea, and Vietnam, earning multiple commendations. In 1967, Hays was appointed Chief of the Army Nurse Corps, overseeing thousands of military nurses. On June 11, 1970, she was promoted to brigadier general, becoming the first woman in U.S. military history to attain general officer rank. Her leadership paved the way for expanded roles and recognition of women in the armed forces. She retired in 1971 and passed away in 2018 at the age of 97, celebrated as a pioneer for military women.

Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer was one of the most successful night-fighter pilots in the Luftwaffe during World War II. Born in 1922 in Eger, Germany, he joined the German air force and specialized in night operations, flying the Messerschmitt Bf 110. Schnaufer achieved over 120 confirmed kills, making him the highest-scoring night-fighter ace in aviation history. He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds for his combat achievements. After the war, he worked briefly in civilian aviation before dying in a car accident in 1950. His record remains a significant chapter in military aviation history.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Bradford Parkinson served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and earned advanced degrees in engineering. In the 1970s, he led the development of the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System, revolutionizing navigation and timing for civilian and military use. Known as the 'father of GPS,' Parkinson oversaw the design, testing, and deployment of the satellite network that underpins modern navigation technology. He has held academic and leadership positions at Stanford University and NASA, continuing to influence aerospace research. Parkinson's work earned him numerous awards, including the Charles Stark Draper Prize for Engineering. His contributions transformed fields ranging from transportation and agriculture to emergency response and smartphone navigation.

Born in 1941 in Vyatskoye, Soviet Union, Kim Jong Il succeeded his father, Kim Il Sung, as North Korea’s leader in 1994. He established the "military-first" policy (Songun), prioritizing the Korean People’s Army in national affairs. Under his tenure, North Korea conducted nuclear tests, intensified its isolation, and maintained strict control over information. Kim cultivated an extensive cult of personality, with state media portraying him as an infallible leader. He ruled until his death in 2011, passing the mantle to his son, Kim Jong Un, and leaving a legacy marked by persistent tensions on the Korean Peninsula.