February 27

Born in England in 1864, Harry 'Breaker' Morant emigrated to Australia and worked as a drover and poet before joining the British mounted forces. He served with the Bushveldt Carbineers during the Second Boer War and gained a reputation for his horsemanship and sharpshooting. In 1901, Morant was accused of executing prisoners and civilians, leading to a sensational court-martial. He was found guilty and executed by firing squad in Pretoria in 1902, becoming one of the first British officers executed for war crimes. His trial sparked debate over military justice and colonial warfare. Morant's story has since been retold in books and a film, raising questions about loyalty, command responsibility, and the brutality of war.

Robert Lee Scott Jr. was a pioneering U.S. Army Air Forces pilot during World War II who flew combat missions in the China-Burma-India theater. His wartime experiences were immortalized in his bestselling memoir God Is My Co-Pilot, which inspired a major motion picture. Scott rose to the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force and served in various command and staff positions. He advocated for pilot training and modern airpower doctrine throughout his career. His candid writings and leadership contributed to the development of American military aviation.

Bernd Freytag von Loringhoven was an officer in the German Army during World War II, serving on the Eastern Front and as an adjutant to Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. After the war, he joined the newly formed Bundeswehr and rose to the rank of lieutenant general. He held key NATO positions and contributed to rebuilding West Germany’s defense forces during the Cold War. Loringhoven authored memoirs reflecting on military leadership and strategic planning. His career bridged the tumultuous transition from Wehrmacht officer to a leader in modern democratic Germany’s armed forces.

Frank Buckles was the final surviving American veteran of World War I, witnessing history unfold from the trenches of France. Enlisting in 1917 at age 16, he served as an Army ambulance driver and later became a U.S. Merchant Marine officer. During World War II, he was captured by the Japanese and endured years as a prisoner of war. After his release, he dedicated his life to veteran causes and preserving the memory of the Great War. At his death in 2011 at age 110, he was honored at the White House as the last living link to America's 'War to End All Wars'.

Ma Jiyuan was a prominent general in the National Revolutionary Army and son of warlord Ma Hongkui. He led Chinese cavalry forces with distinction during the Second Sino-Japanese War, defending against Japanese advances. In the Chinese Civil War, he commanded troops in Northwest China and earned a reputation for tactical skill. After the Communist victory in 1949, Ma emigrated to Taiwan and later settled in the United States. His military career symbolized the complex legacy of the Ma clique in modern Chinese history.