August 23

Oliver Hazard Perry (1785–1819) was a United States Navy commander known as the 'Hero of Lake Erie'. At age 28, he led American forces to a pivotal victory against the British in the War of 1812. His famous dispatch 'We have met the enemy and they are ours' became legendary in naval history. Perry's leadership secured control of the Great Lakes, bolstering American morale and strategic position. After Lake Erie, he served in diplomatic and naval roles, shaping early U.S. naval policy. His legacy is honored by monuments, ships, and naval traditions bearing his name. Perry's bravery and tactical skill made him an enduring figure in American military history.

Born in 1883 in Washington, D.C., Jonathan M. Wainwright became a distinguished U.S. Army officer. During World War II, he took command of Allied forces in the Philippines after General MacArthur's departure. Despite fierce resistance, he was forced to surrender to Japanese forces in 1942 and endured years as a POW. For his extraordinary courage and leadership, he was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1946. Wainwright rose to the rank of four-star general and served as Chief of Personnel before retiring. He passed away in 1953, honored as a hero of the Pacific theater.

Born in Southern Rhodesia, Nkala trained as a military officer and became an early leader in the independence movement. He was a founding member of ZANU and fought alongside Robert Mugabe during the liberation war. After Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, he served as the first Minister of Defence. Nkala oversaw the integration of guerrilla forces into a national army and helped organize the new military structure. He later held portfolios in Home Affairs and was known for his nationalist politics. In retirement, he authored memoirs reflecting on Zimbabwe’s struggle and early government. Nkala’s contributions remain influential in the nation’s post-independence history.

Pete Wilson is an American politician and former United States Marine Corps officer. Born in 1933, he served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, earning several medals. After his military service, Wilson entered politics as a San Diego city councilman and attorney. He was a U.S. Senator from California from 1983 to 1991 before becoming Governor. As governor, he implemented welfare reform and oversaw economic growth in the state. Wilson was known for his tough stance on immigration and his support for Proposition 187. After leaving office, he remained active in political commentary and public affairs.

Atef Bseiso rose through the ranks of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s intelligence service. He was involved in coordinating intelligence operations across Europe and the Middle East. In 1982, he was arrested in France and held for three years before being released in a hostage exchange. Bseiso continued his work with the PLO until returning to Europe in 1992. He was assassinated in Paris later that year in an operation attributed to rival intelligence services. His life remains a subject of study in discussions of Middle Eastern intelligence history.

Born in 1961, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf began his career in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, rising to the rank of Brigadier General. He gained prominence during the Iran–Iraq War before transitioning into politics and serving as Mayor of Tehran from 2005 to 2017. Known for his organizational reforms in the city, he later became Speaker of the Iranian Parliament in 2020. Ghalibaf has run multiple campaigns for the presidency and remains a key figure in Iran’s conservative establishment. He is noted for his focus on infrastructure projects to modernize Tehran’s urban landscape.

Jack Lopresti is a British politician and former Army officer born in Bristol in 1969. He served as an artillery officer in the Royal Artillery before pursuing a career in politics. In 2010, he was elected Member of Parliament for Filton and Bradley Stoke, a seat he has held since. Lopresti has served on the Defence Select Committee and championed veterans' affairs, local infrastructure, and national security issues. Known for his commitment to both defense personnel and his constituents, he remains an active voice in Parliament.