January 28

Zhou Dewei served as a military governor under the Later Liang dynasty. He commanded frontier armies defending against nomadic incursions, particularly from the Khitan. Known for his strict discipline and strategic insight, he led forces in key northern circuits. His leadership helped maintain stability in the region during the chaotic Five Dynasties period. Zhou Dewei died in 919 after a career devoted to frontier defense.

Jing Yanguang was born in 892 and rose through the ranks of the Later Jin military. He led campaigns to suppress rebellions and defend the dynasty against external threats. His strategic decisions contributed to several key victories and earned him high military honors. Later in his career, he held administrative positions overseeing frontier regions. Court intrigues eventually led to his removal from power and retirement. Jing Yanguang died in 947, remembered for his dedication to military service during a turbulent period.

Born in 1103 to a farming family in Henan province. Yue Fei joined the Song army in his youth and quickly rose through the ranks. He led successful campaigns against the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty, winning battles such as Yancheng. Yue emphasized strict training, discipline, and moral integrity among his troops. Despite his popularity, he was falsely accused of treason and executed in 1142. He was posthumously rehabilitated and became a symbol of loyalty and patriotism in Chinese culture.

Born into the Fenwick family in 1645, he inherited the baronetcy in 1689 and served as a general under King James II. Elected to represent Northumberland in Parliament, he was a vocal supporter of the Stuart monarchy. After the Glorious Revolution in 1688, Fenwick refused to swear allegiance to William III and Mary II. He joined a Jacobite conspiracy aimed at restoring James II to the throne. Arrested and tried for high treason in 1696, he was executed the following year, marking a dramatic end to his political and military career.

Born in 1769, Belliard joined the French Revolutionary army at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks. He fought in key campaigns, including the Italian and Egyptian expeditions under Napoleon Bonaparte. As a division commander, he demonstrated strategic skill in battles such as Marengo and Ulm. Later, he held important posts in the administration of occupied territories, including Saint-Domingue. After the fall of Napoleon, he retired from public life but remained respected for his military leadership and contributions to France’s expansion.

Born in 1872 in Guelph, Ontario, John McCrae studied medicine at the University of Toronto. He served as a lieutenant colonel in the Canadian Army Medical Corps during WWI. It was after treating casualties at Ypres that he wrote the enduring poem 'In Flanders Fields'. His evocative verses captured the sacrifice of soldiers amidst fields of poppies. McCrae continued to serve as a field surgeon until his death from pneumonia in January 1918. His legacy endures through the poem that inspired remembrance traditions around the world.

Born in 1924, Roza Shanina volunteered for the Soviet Army at age 18. As a sergeant in the Red Army, she became one of the most successful female snipers, credited with 59 confirmed kills. She fought on the Eastern Front, rising to fame for her precision and bravery in frontline battles. Shanina wrote letters and kept diaries that revealed her reflections on war and loss. She was awarded the Order of Glory for her combat achievements. Tragically, she was killed by mortar fire in January 1945, leaving a legacy of courage and a breakthrough for women in combat roles.

Born in 1906 in Amberg, Germany, Hans Aumeier joined the SS in 1934 and rose to command positions at concentration camps. He oversaw mass deportations and executions of prisoners at Auschwitz and elsewhere during the Holocaust. After the war, he was extradited to Poland, tried for his war crimes, and sentenced to death. His trial revealed the systematic brutality of the SS camp system and the Holocaust machinery. Aumeier was executed by hanging on January 28, 1948.

Born in 1867 in Brussels, Maxime Weygand was educated at the École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr and served in colonial campaigns. During World War I, he became chief of staff to Marshal Foch and played a key role in planning the Allied counter-offensive. In the interwar period, Weygand held senior commands and served as High Commissioner in Syria and Lebanon. During World War II, he briefly led the Vichy French armed forces before retiring from public service. His military career spanned over five decades, leaving a complex and influential legacy in French history.

Born in 1913 in Deurne, Belgium, Deloor turned professional and won the inaugural Vuelta a España in 1935 and 1936. Known for his climbing prowess and endurance, he also competed in multiple editions of the Tour de France. During the Spanish Civil War, he served with the International Brigades and later worked as a pilot in World War II. After traveling and settling in the United States, he shared his cycling experiences in interviews and memoirs. Deloor’s back-to-back Vuelta victories established him as one of the legends of pre-war professional cycling. He passed away in 2002.

Lloyd M. Bucher was a United States Navy captain born in 1927. He gained prominence as the commander of the USS Pueblo, an intelligence vessel seized by North Korea in 1968. Throughout his career, he served with distinction in naval intelligence operations. The Pueblo incident led to a highly publicized international crisis and a controversial court-martial upon his return. He remained a vocal advocate for his crew and naval honor until his death in 2004.

Born in 1954, Suraj Abdurrahman pursued studies in architecture and engineering before joining the Nigerian Army. Rising through the ranks, he held command positions that combined strategic leadership with project management. He oversaw the design and construction of key military facilities, ensuring operational readiness and innovation. As a general, he championed training programs that integrated technical skills and military discipline. Abdurrahman was respected for his ability to translate complex engineering principles into practical applications on base. His career exemplified the fusion of technical mastery and leadership in service to his country.