September 29

Guido I da Montefeltro (1223-1298) was a prominent Italian lord and strategist during the turbulent Guelph-Ghibelline wars. As the lord of Montefeltro and later of Urbino, he became renowned for his tactical acumen and siegecraft. He served multiple Italian powers, including the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire, adapting his allegiance to shifting political alliances. His strategies were immortalized by Dante Alighieri, who depicted him in the Inferno for his alleged deceit. Guido's life exemplifies the complex interplay of honor, loyalty, and ambition in medieval Italy. His enduring reputation influenced military thought and literature for centuries.

John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey (1231-1304), was a key English magnate and soldier during the reign of Edward I. He inherited vast estates and played a leading role in campaigns against the Welsh and Scots. Warenne fought at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298 and was involved in the siege of Caerlaverock. His marriage alliances and feuds illustrate the volatile nature of feudal politics in 13th-century England. Despite occasional disputes with the crown, he remained a staunch royal supporter and military leader. John's contributions to Edwardian warfare cemented his legacy as one of medieval England's foremost commanders.

William 'Bull' Nelson was born in Kentucky in 1824. A U.S. Navy veteran, he returned to Kentucky at the outbreak of the Civil War. He organized Union forces and played a key role at the Battle of Shiloh. Nelson was known for his imposing stature and fiery temperament. In 1862, he was fatally shot in an altercation with a fellow officer, highlighting tensions within Union leadership.

Sterling Price (1809–1867) was an American soldier and politician. He served as a major general in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. Before the war, he was the 11th Governor of Missouri and a member of both the U.S. House and Senate. After his military service, he participated in Confederate exile efforts in Mexico. Known for his leadership in the Trans-Mississippi Theater, he led Price’s Raid into Missouri. His life bridged military and political spheres at a tumultuous time in U.S. history.

Louis Faidherbe (1818–1889) was a French general and statesman best known for his role in Senegal. As Governor of Senegal, he organized campaigns to extend French control along the West African coast and inland. His military expeditions secured strategic territories and established the groundwork for French West Africa. After military service, he served as a deputy and senator in the French Parliament. Faidherbe was also a scholar of geography and ethnography, documenting African cultures and landscapes. His efforts left a lasting impact on French colonial policy and the development of Dakar as a key port.

Lawrence Weathers was an Australian soldier awarded the Victoria Cross for extraordinary bravery in World War I. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1915 and served on the Western Front. During an attack near Péronne in September 1918, Weathers led his section under heavy fire, capturing enemy positions. His actions contributed to the success of the Allied offensive and saved many comrades' lives. He was killed in action on September 29, 1918. Weathers is remembered for his selfless courage and dedication to his comrades.

John Goodwin (1871–1960) was a British Army officer and medical doctor who served with distinction in the Boer War and World War I. After the wars, he continued his medical practice and was appointed the 14th Governor of Queensland in 1927. During his tenure, Goodwin prioritized public health initiatives, overseeing hospital expansions and veterans’ welfare programs. He also supported agricultural development and infrastructure projects to boost the colony’s economy. Known for his compassionate leadership and dedication to service, he earned respect from both local settlers and Indigenous communities. After returning to England, he remained active in veterans’ associations and medical circles.

Nguyễn Văn Thiệu was a military officer who became the second President of South Vietnam, serving from 1967 until the fall of Saigon in 1975. Born in 1923, he joined the Vietnamese National Army under French colonial rule and rose through the ranks to become a general. As president, Thiệu navigated complex relationships with the United States while facing domestic political challenges and the advancing North Vietnamese forces. Known for his political resilience, he survived multiple coups before consolidating power through a 1967 referendum. After resigning in April 1975, Thiệu lived in exile in the United Kingdom and the United States, writing memoirs and speeches. His presidency remains a subject of debate for its wartime leadership and decisions during South Vietnam's final years.

Born in 1981 in Echo Park, California, Michael A. Monsoor enlisted in the U.S. Navy and became a Navy SEAL. In 2006 during a firefight in Ramadi, Iraq, he sacrificed himself by diving on a grenade, saving fellow SEALs from certain death. For this act of unparalleled bravery, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President George W. Bush. Monsoor’s selfless courage and unwavering commitment to his team exemplify the highest traditions of military service. He is remembered as a hero and role model within the SEAL community and beyond.

Akissi Kouamé was a pioneering Ivorian army officer who broke gender barriers in her country's military. Born in 1955, she joined the armed forces at a time when few women served in combat roles. Over her career, she rose to become one of the highest-ranking female officers in the Ivory Coast. She participated in United Nations peacekeeping missions and was known for her leadership in training programs. A vocal advocate for gender equality, she mentored women in the military and championed their advancement. Her dedication to service and equality left a lasting mark on the Ivorian armed forces.