February 18

Born in 1677, Otto Ferdinand von Abensberg und Traun rose through the ranks of the Habsburg army to become one of its most respected commanders. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Hoogstraten and later led successful sieges during the War of the Austrian Succession. His tactical acumen was again on display in the Seven Years' War, where he directed operations against Prussian forces. Known for his discipline and fortitude, he earned the confidence of Emperor Charles VI and Maria Theresa. He also implemented reforms in army logistics and training that influenced later Austrian military doctrine. He died in 1748, leaving a legacy as a master of 18th-century European warfare. His memoirs and correspondence provide valuable insights into the military strategies of his era.

Frank James served as a cavalry soldier in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, fighting under General Sterling Price. After the war, he joined his brother Jesse in a series of bank and train robberies that gained national notoriety. Following Jesse James’s death in 1882, Frank surrendered to authorities and faced trial, but was acquitted of all charges. He spent his later years living quietly as a shoe salesman and carpenter in Missouri. Frank’s life journey from soldier to outlaw and back to civilian life exemplifies the tumult of the postwar American West.

Grigory Yakovlevich Nelyubov trained as a fighter pilot before being selected in 1960 as one of the first twenty cosmonaut candidates for the Soviet space program. He underwent rigorous preparation for potential orbital missions, participating in early tests and training exercises. In 1963, he was expelled from the cosmonaut corps due to disciplinary issues related to alcohol consumption. After his dismissal, Nelyubov continued serving as a military pilot in the Soviet Air Force. He died in 1966 in a training flight accident, ending the life of a once-promising figure in the history of space exploration. His story highlights both the ambition and the strict demands placed on early space program pioneers.