January 28

Born in 1833, Charles George Gordon trained as an officer in the Royal Engineers. He first rose to prominence for his leadership during the Taiping Rebellion in China. Later, as Governor of Sudan, he undertook efforts to suppress the slave trade and administer the province. In 1884–1885, he became famous for his defense of Khartoum against Mahdist forces. His dramatic death in the siege made him a Victorian-era martyr and symbol of British imperial heroism. Gordon was also known for his outspoken views on military and colonial policy. His legacy endures in military history and popular memory.

Markos Vafiadis (1906–1992) was a leading figure in the Greek Communist movement and commander of the Democratic Army during the Greek Civil War. Born in Prussa (now Bursa, Turkey), he joined the Greek Communist Party in the 1920s and organized resistance against Axis occupation. Vafiadis led guerrilla operations in northern Greece, earning a reputation for strategic acumen and discipline. He served briefly as head of the provisional Democratic Government in 1947. After the civil war, he was expelled from the party and lived in exile across Eastern Europe. Vafiadis later reconciled with Greek politics and returned home after the fall of the military junta. His complex legacy reflects both his military leadership and political ideals.

Born in Pennsylvania in 1919, Gabreski joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941 and quickly distinguished himself. He flew P-47 Thunderbolts in Europe, becoming the top American fighter ace in the Eighth Air Force with 28 confirmed aerial victories. After World War II, he remained in service and flew combat missions in the Korean War, adding six more victories. Gabreski commanded several fighter groups and was awarded numerous decorations, including the Distinguished Service Cross. He retired as a colonel in 1968 and later worked in the aerospace industry and veterans' organizations. Gabreski passed away in 2002, remembered for his exceptional skill and leadership in aerial combat.

John M. Fabian was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1978 and served on three Space Shuttle flights: STS-7, STS-51-G, and STS-34. As pilot and commander, he conducted satellite deployments, payload operations, and biomedical research in orbit. Before joining NASA, Fabian logged thousands of flight hours as a USAF pilot and test pilot. After retiring from the astronaut corps, he held leadership positions in NASA's Shuttle Program and worked in aerospace consultancy. His contributions furthered operational protocols and mission safety during the early years of the shuttle era. Fabian's dedication to exploration and science education has inspired many aspiring aviators and engineers.

David Carl Hilmers (born 1950) is a U.S. Marine Corps colonel, physician, and NASA astronaut. He earned a medical degree from Stanford University and served as a flight surgeon with the Marines. Selected by NASA in 1980, Hilmers flew on four Space Shuttle missions between 1985 and 1993. His flights included satellite deployment, medical experiments, and materials research in microgravity. Hilmers logged over 566 hours in space and contributed to the development of space medicine. After retiring from NASA and the Marine Corps, he taught medicine and worked in emergency services. His unique career bridges military service, medical practice, and human spaceflight exploration.

Leonid Kostyantynovych Kadeniuk (1951–2018) was a Ukrainian Air Force pilot and the first astronaut of independent Ukraine. He earned his pilot wings in the Soviet Air Force before being selected for Ukraine’s inaugural astronaut program. In 1997, Kadeniuk flew aboard STS-87 on Space Shuttle Columbia, conducting botanical and materials science experiments. His flight included planting a tree seedling in microgravity symbolizing Ukraine’s future. After his mission, he served as a colonel and later held leadership roles in Ukraine’s space agencies. Kadeniuk received national honors for his contributions to science and exploration. He passed away in 2018, leaving a legacy as a pioneer of Ukrainian spaceflight.