October 02

Born in 1768 into an Anglo-Irish family, Beresford entered the British Army in 1783 and quickly distinguished himself as a capable officer. He served under the Duke of Wellington, commanding Portuguese forces at key battles such as Bussaco and Albuera. For his service, he was created Viscount Beresford in 1814 and later sat in the British Parliament as MP for Westminster. As Governor of Jersey, he oversaw the island's defenses and civil administration, earning respect for his leadership. He died in 1854, leaving a reputation for military skill and public service.

Born in Tennessee in 1821, Stewart graduated from West Point in 1843 and fought in the Mexican-American War. Upon Tennessee's secession, he joined the Confederate Army, rising to lieutenant general in the Army of Tennessee. He led a corps at battles including Stones River, Chickamauga, and the Atlanta Campaign, earning a reputation for tactical skill. After surrendering in 1865, he worked as a civil engineer on railroad projects and later taught engineering at the University of Tennessee. He served as State Treasurer of Tennessee and remained active in veterans' affairs until his death in 1908.

Paul von Hindenburg gained fame for his decisive victory at the Battle of Tannenberg in 1914. He rose to become Chief of the German General Staff and led the German army during key World War I campaigns. After the war, Hindenburg retired but was elected President of the Weimar Republic in 1925. As president, he appointed Adolf Hitler as Chancellor in 1933, a controversial decision that shaped Germany's future. His leadership bridged Germany's imperial and Nazi eras, making him a pivotal figure in early 20th-century history.

Ferdinand Foch played a central role in coordinating Allied forces during the final campaigns of World War I. He successfully countered the German Spring Offensive and led the counterattack that broke the Hindenburg Line. Foch was awarded the rank of Marshal of France and received high honors from multiple Allied nations. His strategic vision and ability to unify diverse armies under a single command were crucial to the Allied victory. After the war, he continued to advise on military matters and remained a celebrated national hero in France.

Boris Shaposhnikov (1882–1945) was a pivotal Russian military leader who rose to become Chief of the General Staff of the Red Army from 1930 to 1939. Born in the Russian Empire, he served as an officer in World War I before joining the Bolsheviks during the Civil War. A master of operational theory, Shaposhnikov authored 'The Brain of the Army,' a foundational text on military strategy. In 1940, he was appointed one of the first five Marshals of the Soviet Union. He advised Soviet defenses during the early years of World War II before his death in 1945.

Ruth Cheney Streeter (1895–1990) was the first Director of the United States Marine Corps Women’s Reserve during World War II. Breaking gender barriers, she organized and trained thousands of women to support the war effort in roles ranging from clerical work to communications. Streeter's leadership established standards for women’s service in the Marines and set the stage for future integration. After the war, she remained active in veterans’ affairs and advocated for women’s rights within the military.

Sonthi Boonyaratglin is a retired Thai army general who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army from 2005 to 2006. In September 2006, he led a military coup that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Following the coup, Sonthi was appointed head of the interim government and served as caretaker Prime Minister until early 2008. He is known for his low-key leadership style and efforts to stabilize Thailand during a turbulent political period. After retiring from the military and politics, Sonthi has largely remained out of the public eye.