November 13

Born in Glasgow, John Moore entered the British Army and quickly rose through the ranks due to his discipline and leadership. He introduced light infantry tactics and rigorous training methods that improved army effectiveness. In 1808, he led British forces in the Peninsular War, supporting Spanish allies against Napoleon’s troops. Moore organized a skillful retreat to Corunna, enabling his army to evacuate by sea despite harsh winter conditions. He was mortally wounded in the Battle of Corunna on January 16, 1809, while overseeing the evacuation. His tactical innovations influenced later British military doctrine and earned him lasting respect.

Born in Virginia, Theophilus H. Holmes graduated from West Point in 1827 and fought in the Seminole and Mexican–American Wars. In 1861, he resigned his U.S. commission to join the Confederate States Army. Holmes commanded forces in the Trans-Mississippi Department, where he faced logistical challenges and resource shortages. He led operations in Missouri and along the Mississippi River but struggled to achieve decisive victories. Reassigned in 1863, he later served in administrative roles until the war's end. Despite controversies over his battlefield results, Holmes was respected for his dedication and experience. He retired to Virginia and died in 1880.

Born in Philadelphia, John A. Dahlgren entered the Navy as a midshipman in 1826. He designed the Dahlgren gun, a revolutionary naval cannon that improved safety and firepower. During the Civil War, he commanded the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, enforcing the Union blockade of Confederate ports. Dahlgren later served as Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, shaping naval education and engineering. His ordnance innovations transformed naval artillery and influenced global naval tactics. He received brevet promotions for his service and contributions to naval science. Dahlgren died in 1870 while still on active duty, leaving a lasting legacy.

Born in Massachusetts, Joseph Hooker graduated from West Point in 1837 and served in the Mexican–American War. Nicknamed 'Fighting Joe,' he was known for his bold leadership and confidence. In 1863, he took command of the Army of the Potomac and implemented organizational reforms to boost morale. However, at the Battle of Chancellorsville, his forces were outmaneuvered by Confederate General Lee's troops. Afterward, Hooker continued to serve in various departmental commands and corps leadership roles. He introduced the first 'Soldiers' Rest' camps to aid in troop recovery. Postbellum, he held public positions and authored memoirs that contributed to military history.

Edward Burd Grubb Jr. (1841-1913) was a Union Army general who led troops in key battles such as Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. After the Civil War, he transitioned to diplomacy and was appointed United States Ambassador to Spain from 1899 to 1902. Born in Burlington, New Jersey, he came from a prominent Quaker family with strong abolitionist convictions. Grubb's leadership and strategic skills earned him respect on and off the battlefield. As ambassador, he worked to strengthen US-Spanish relations during a period of global change. He later became active in veteran affairs and civic organizations in Philadelphia. Grubb's career exemplified service both in military command and international diplomacy.

Arthur Nebe was a German SS officer and criminal police official who commanded Einsatzgruppe B, responsible for mass murders in the Soviet Union during World War II. Despite his role in the Holocaust, he later expressed disillusionment with the Nazi regime and participated in the July 20 plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. After the failed coup, Nebe was arrested, tried, and executed in 1945. His complex legacy reflects both his early involvement in war crimes and his final act of resistance.

Patrick Robert Reid was born in 1910 in British India and served as an officer in the Royal Engineers during World War II. Captured by German forces, he endured imprisonment at the infamous Colditz Castle, a high-security POW camp. In 1942, Reid executed a daring escape and made his way to safety, an adventure he later chronicled in his bestselling memoir "The Colditz Story." After the war, he continued to serve in the British Army before transitioning to a writing career focused on military history and memoir. His vivid accounts of POW life and escape ingenuity brought him international acclaim. Reid’s work offers a unique insider’s view of wartime resilience and resourcefulness. He passed away in 1990, leaving behind a legacy of courage and storytelling.

Lon Nol was born in 1913 in Prey Veng, Cambodia, and studied medicine in France before entering the military. He rose rapidly through the ranks to become commander of the Cambodian army and later served as Minister of Defense. In 1970, Lon Nol orchestrated a coup that deposed Prince Norodom Sihanouk and established the Khmer Republic, serving as Prime Minister and then President. His government faced civil war and the rise of the Khmer Rouge, leading to political turmoil and foreign intervention. After being ousted in 1975, Lon Nol lived in exile in the United States, where he lobbied against the Khmer Rouge regime. His controversial legacy includes both efforts to modernize Cambodia and decisions that contributed to its descent into conflict. He died in 1985.