July 02

Li Jing was a celebrated general of the Tang dynasty, born in 571. He was instrumental in expanding Tang influence into Central Asia and defeating the Western Turkic Khaganate. His campaigns against Xueyantuo and other steppe powers secured the empire's western frontiers. He served under Emperor Taizong and was praised for his strategic insight and calm leadership. Li Jing introduced innovative tactics that became models for later generations. He retired after decades of service and died in 649, leaving a legacy as one of China's greatest military commanders.

Robert the Strong was a leading Frankish nobleman and military commander of the 9th century. His exact birth date is unknown, but he rose to prominence under King Charles the Bald. He defended West Francia against Viking raids and consolidated power in the region of Neustria. Robert’s martial prowess and alliances laid the foundations for the future Capetian dynasty. He died in battle in 866 fighting the Vikings. His descendants would go on to shape the course of French history.

Akechi Mitsuhide (1528–1582) was a Japanese samurai and daimyo under the powerful warlord Oda Nobunaga. He served as a senior retainer and governed key provinces such as Tanba and Yamashiro. In 1582, he famously betrayed Nobunaga at the Incident at Honnō-ji, leading to Nobunaga's death. Following the coup, Mitsuhide briefly declared himself ruler in Kyoto but faced swift opposition. His rule lasted only thirteen days before he was defeated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi at the Battle of Yamazaki. He died while fleeing west, his legacy cemented by the dramatic twist that shaped Japan's Sengoku period.

François-Marie, comte de Broglie (1611–1656) was an Italian-born nobleman and general in French service. He commanded troops in various theaters of the Thirty Years' War and the Franco-Spanish War. Broglie earned recognition for his strategic skill and loyalty to the French monarchy. As a member of the prominent de Broglie family, he helped establish his house's military reputation. His campaigns contributed to French gains in northern Italy and the Spanish Netherlands. He died in 1656, remembered as one of the capable generals of Louis XIV's early reign.

José de la Cruz Porfirio Díaz was a Mexican military hero of the Reform War and French intervention. He served seven terms as President of Mexico between 1876 and 1911, a period known as the Porfiriato. Díaz modernized infrastructure and encouraged foreign investment, leading to economic growth. However, his authoritarian governance and social inequalities provoked the Mexican Revolution. Díaz's complex legacy includes both national development and the seeds of revolutionary upheaval.

William Louis Marshall was a distinguished American engineer and U.S. Army general. He served as Chief of Engineers from 1901 to 1905, overseeing improvements to Mississippi River navigation. Marshall designed locks, dams, and harbors that enhanced commercial shipping and flood control. His leadership combined military discipline with engineering innovation during America's industrial growth. Marshall's work left a lasting impact on the country's inland waterways and infrastructure.

Edward Lawson was born in 1873 and served as a soldier in the British Army. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for exceptional gallantry in action. His dedication to duty and courage became emblematic of military valor. He continued his service with distinction before retiring from active duty. He died in 1955, leaving a legacy of heroism and honor.

Ferdinand Schörner (June 12, 1892 – July 2, 1973) was a German field marshal and one of Hitler's most loyal commanders. He commanded Army Group Centre and later Army Group South on the Eastern Front, distinguished by his ruthless enforcement of order. Schörner earned a reputation for strict discipline, often personally executing deserters to maintain morale. After the war, he was convicted of war crimes by a Soviet tribunal and spent over a decade in prison. His case remains controversial, reflecting the brutal realities of the Eastern Front and the moral complexities of military command.

Louis Zamperini was born in 1917 and became one of the top American distance runners, competing in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. During World War II, he served as a bombardier in the US Army Air Forces. In 1943, his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean, leaving him adrift on a life raft for 47 days before being captured by the Japanese. He endured brutal conditions as a prisoner of war in Japan, an experience he would later recount in his bestselling memoir 'Unbroken'. After the war, Zamperini became a motivational speaker, sharing his story of resilience and forgiveness. His life story was adapted into an acclaimed film in 2014, solidifying his legacy as a symbol of human endurance.