March 19

Edward Pakenham was born into the Anglo-Irish Pakenham family in 1778 and pursued a military career in the British Army. He served with distinction in the Peninsular War under the Duke of Wellington and rose to the rank of major-general. In 1814, he was appointed commander of British forces in North America during the War of 1812. Pakenham led his troops in the ill-fated assault on New Orleans in January 1815 and was killed in action. He also represented Longford Borough in the Irish Parliament. Pakenham's leadership and sacrifice at New Orleans have made him a memorable figure in military history.

Born in 1784 in Riohacha (now Colombia), José Prudencio Padilla joined the naval forces fighting for South American independence. He played a decisive role in the Battle of Lake Maracaibo in 1823, delivering a victory that undermined Spanish naval power. Padilla also commanded the Pacific fleet, disrupting royalist supply lines and supporting Simón Bolívar's campaigns. After independence, he held political office in Gran Colombia and served as an ambassador. Despite his military and diplomatic successes, he became embroiled in political rivalries and was executed in 1828 during internal conflicts. Padilla's legacy endures as one of Colombia's foremost naval heroes.

Born in 1849 in Küstrin, Prussia, Alfred von Tirpitz rose through the ranks of the German Imperial Navy to become its State Secretary in 1897. He championed a fleet expansion plan, known as the Tirpitz Plan, which aimed to challenge British naval supremacy through battleship construction. His efforts led to a naval arms race that contributed to the tensions leading up to World War I. Tirpitz also served briefly as Reichstag member and held diplomatic posts, shaping Germany's military and political strategies. Despite initial successes, his naval policies faced criticism after Germany's defeat in 1918. Tirpitz retired in 1916 and died in 1930, remembered as a key architect of German maritime power.

Zhang Zuolin was a Chinese military leader born in 1875 who rose from humble origins to lead the Fengtian clique in Manchuria following the fall of the Qing Dynasty. With Japanese backing, he built a powerful army and modernized regional infrastructure. Zhang’s rule extended into northern China until his assassination in 1928 by a Japanese operative’s bomb. His tenure exemplified the turbulent politics of China’s Warlord Era and set the stage for later national conflicts.

Born in 1883, Joseph Stilwell graduated from West Point and served with distinction in World War I. He earned the nickname 'Vinegar Joe' for his forthright leadership style and insistence on supply and training reforms. During World War II, Stilwell commanded Allied forces in the China-Burma-India theater, coordinating operations with Chinese and British commanders. He played a crucial role in the defense of the Burma Road and oversaw key campaigns in the region. Stilwell later served as Chief of Staff to Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek. His tenure was marked by both strategic successes and tensions over resources. He retired in 1946 and left behind a reputation as a determined and complex military leader.

James Van Fleet was a career officer in the United States Army who distinguished himself in both World Wars and the Korean War. He commanded Allied forces in Korea and earned the nickname "Tiger of Korea" for his leadership. A recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, he also served as commander of the Seventh Army in Europe after World War II. Following his military career, he was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Greece and worked to strengthen transatlantic relations. He lived to be 100 years old, leaving a legacy as one of America's most respected generals and diplomats.

Adolf Eichmann was a German SS officer who played a central role in orchestrating the Holocaust. Born in Solingen, Germany, he joined the Nazi Party and the SS in the early 1930s. As head of Department IV B4 of the Reich Security Main Office, he oversaw the logistics of mass deportations of European Jews to extermination camps. After World War II, he evaded capture until Israeli agents abducted him in Argentina in 1960. He was tried in Jerusalem in 1961, convicted of crimes against humanity and war crimes, and executed in 1962. The highly publicized trial brought global attention to the atrocities of the Holocaust and set precedents in international law.

Joseph Carroll was a United States Army general whose career spanned service in World War II and the early Cold War. He entered the Army as a junior officer and advanced through both combat and staff roles. Carroll served in key operational positions during World War II, contributing to major Allied campaigns. In the postwar years, he held senior commands and helped shape Army organizational structures. He was respected for his strategic planning skills and his focus on training and preparedness. Carroll retired in 1965 after more than thirty years of service, leaving a legacy of dedication to his country.

Robert G. Cole was a United States Army officer awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II. Born in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. As a lieutenant colonel, he led a daring bayonet charge in Normandy on D-Day for which he was posthumously honored. His leadership and courage inspired his unit during intense combat operations in France. Cole was killed in action later in 1944 but was remembered for his exceptional valor. He stands as a symbol of sacrifice and heroism in U.S. military history.

Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda continued guerrilla warfare on Lubang Island in the Philippines after WWII ended. He refused to believe that Japan had surrendered, disregarding multiple attempts to inform him. For nearly 29 years, Onoda lived in the jungle with fellow holdouts, surviving on foraging and occasional raids. He finally surrendered in 1974 after his former commanding officer traveled to persuade him personally. Onoda returned to Japan as a national hero and later became an advocate for environmental conservation. He wrote memoirs recounting his experiences and reflections on duty, loyalty, and the futility of war. Onoda's story remains a powerful testament to perseverance and the complexities of wartime psychology.

Born in Ogden, Utah in 1925, Brent Scowcroft graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1947. He earned distinction as an Air Force pilot and strategic planner during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Scowcroft first served as National Security Advisor from 1975 to 1977 under President Gerald Ford, and returned to the role from 1989 to 1993 under President George H. W. Bush. A practitioner of pragmatic realism in foreign policy, he played a key role in shaping U.S. strategy during the end of the Cold War and the Gulf War. After retiring, he co-founded several international policy organizations and remained a respected voice on global affairs until his death in 2020.