June 10

Stephen Mosher Wood was born in 1832 and commissioned as a lieutenant in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the conflict, he transitioned to civilian life and became active in local governance. Wood held various public offices, where he advocated for veterans’ benefits and community development. He was respected for his leadership skills and commitment to civic service. Throughout his career, he remained engaged in veteran organizations and public affairs. Wood’s dedication to both military duty and political life spanned nearly seven decades until his death in 1920.

Leone Sextus Tollemache (1884-1917) was an English army officer from the Tollemache noble family. He was commissioned as a captain in the British Army and served during World War I. Tollemache was recognized for his leadership and dedication to duty on the battlefield. He exemplified the courage of his generation in the trenches of Europe. He was killed in action in 1917, remembered for his sacrifice. His life reflects the commitment of aristocratic officers in the Great War.

Lang Hancock was born in 1909 in Perth, Western Australia. After serving in the military, he turned his attention to the resources sector and made a groundbreaking discovery of iron ore in the Pilbara region. He founded Hancock Prospecting, which grew into one of Australia's most successful mining companies. Hancock's vision transformed the Australian economy by unlocking its mineral wealth for global markets. His legacy endures through a mining dynasty that shaped the nation's modern resource industry.

James McDivitt was born in 1929 in Chicago, Illinois, and pursued a career as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. Selected by NASA in 1962, he commanded the Gemini 4 mission in 1965, which included the second-ever spacewalk by astronaut Ed White. In 1969, McDivitt led Apollo 9, the first crewed flight to test the lunar module in Earth orbit, a critical step toward the Moon landing. After retiring from flight operations, he served as NASA's Manager of Gemini and Apollo mission operations, shaping the trajectory of the Apollo program. McDivitt also held executive roles in the aerospace industry before retiring as a brigadier general. He passed away in 2022, remembered for his leadership and contributions to human space exploration.

Robert Wright is a distinguished officer of the Royal Air Force who reached the rank of Air Marshal, playing a pivotal role in maintaining Britain’s air defense during the Cold War. His career spanned key operational commands and strategic planning roles, overseeing fighter squadrons and air bases. Wright’s leadership was marked by a focus on technological advancement and readiness at a time of global tension. He received multiple honors for his service and contributed to shaping RAF doctrine in the latter half of the 20th century. His strategic vision and dedication exemplify the professionalism of modern military leadership.