July 05

Achille d'Étampes de Valençay (1593–1646) was a French nobleman who rose to distinction as a military commander during the Thirty Years' War. Born into the influential Étampes family, he quickly gained a reputation for strategic acumen and courage on the battlefield. He served under Cardinal Richelieu, leading French forces in several key engagements. His leadership helped secure important territorial gains for France against Habsburg forces. Valençay's contributions to early 17th-century European warfare left a lasting mark on military history.

David Farragut (1801–1870) was a pioneering American naval officer. He served with distinction in the War of 1812 and the Mexican–American War before rising to prominence in the Civil War. As commander of the Union West Gulf Blockading Squadron, he led the capture of New Orleans in 1862. Farragut famously ordered 'Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!' during the Battle of Mobile Bay. He became the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in US Navy history. His leadership and aggressive tactics helped secure Union control of key waterways. Farragut's legacy endures in naval tradition and numerous ships named in his honor.

Pavel Nakhimov (1802–1855) was a celebrated admiral of the Imperial Russian Navy. He distinguished himself in the Battle of Navarino and later commanded the defense of Sevastopol during the Crimean War. Nakhimov's strategic skill and personal courage during the siege earned him widespread respect. He implemented effective defensive measures and boosted the morale of his forces under dire circumstances. Nakhimov was mortally wounded by a sniper's bullet during the siege in 1855. He was honored posthumously as a national hero in Russia. Monuments and naval vessels bear his name in recognition of his service.

Robert FitzRoy (1805–1865) was an English naval officer and scientist who captained HMS Beagle during Charles Darwin's famous voyage. After his naval career, he made groundbreaking contributions to meteorology, developing one of the first self-registering barometers. FitzRoy introduced routine weather forecasts and storm warnings, laying the foundation for modern weather prediction. He served as the second Governor of New Zealand from 1843 to 1845, navigating political challenges and indigenous relations. FitzRoy was a Fellow of the Royal Society and published influential works on navigation and meteorology. His advocacy for scientific approaches to weather forecasting initially met with public skepticism. Today, he is recognized as a pioneer in both oceanic exploration and systematic meteorology.

Robert Bacon (1860–1919) was a U.S. Army colonel and diplomat during the early 20th century. He served briefly as the 39th United States Secretary of State under President Theodore Roosevelt in 1909. Prior to his cabinet role, Bacon represented the U.S. at The Hague Peace Conference and promoted international arbitration. He later served as Ambassador to France and advocated for American interests in Europe. Bacon's career blended military service and high-level diplomacy during a transformative era.

Born in Limassol, Grivas served in the Hellenic Army during World War I and the Greco-Turkish War. In 1955, he founded the EOKA organization to end British colonial rule in Cyprus, earning the nom de guerre "Digenis." He led guerrilla operations until the 1959 London-Zürich Agreements and later engaged in Greek political affairs. Grivas's tactics and ideology influenced subsequent liberation movements, making him a controversial yet pivotal figure. He remains a symbol of Cypriot nationalism and the island’s mid-century upheavals.

Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. was born into the influential Lodge political family in Massachusetts. After graduating magna cum laude from Harvard University, he served as a U.S. Army officer during World War II. Elected to the U.S. Senate at age 34, he represented Massachusetts from 1937 to 1944. Appointed by President Eisenhower, Lodge became the third U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, serving from 1953 to 1960. He was selected as Richard Nixon's running mate in the closely contested 1960 presidential election. Under President Nixon, he returned to the U.N. podium as Ambassador from 1969 to 1971. Lodge's diplomatic skill and legislative achievements shaped mid-20th-century U.S. foreign policy.

Born in 1918 in Egypt, Zakaria Mohieddin rose through the military ranks following the 1952 revolution. A close associate of President Gamal Abdel Nasser, he held key posts including Minister of Interior and commander of the armed forces. Mohieddin served as Egypt’s Prime Minister from 1965 to 1966, overseeing domestic policy during a period of significant social change. He was also a member of the Revolutionary Command Council and contributed to the shaping of modern Egypt. After retiring from public life, he remained a respected figure until his death in 2012.

Born in 1921, Viktor Kulikov joined the Red Army and saw service during World War II. Rising through the ranks, he commanded Soviet forces in East Germany before becoming Chief of the General Staff in 1977. As Commander-in-Chief of the Warsaw Pact from 1977 to 1989, he played a central role in coordinating the alliance’s military strategy during the Cold War. Kulikov was twice named a Hero of the Soviet Union in recognition of his leadership. After retiring, he remained an influential voice on military affairs until his death in 2013.