March 03

Andrew Harclay rose from modest origins to become the 1st Earl of Carlisle, a title granted for his role in defending the border against Robert the Bruce. He successfully repelled Scottish raids and secured key fortifications in the 1310s. In 1323, Harclay negotiated an independent peace treaty with the Scots without royal approval, hoping to bring stability to the region. King Edward II viewed this act as a challenge to his authority, and Harclay was arrested for treason. He was swiftly tried and executed at Tyburn in March 1323, ending his career as a controversial figure in medieval military history.

Eugene Sledge (1923–2001) was a United States Marine who fought in the brutal battles of Peleliu and Okinawa during World War II. His firsthand account, With the Old Breed, is hailed as one of the most powerful and honest memoirs of the Pacific war. After his service, Sledge pursued academia, earning a Ph.D. and teaching biology at the University of Montevallo for over thirty years. He also wrote China Marine, detailing his postwar experiences. Sledge's writing combined vivid battlefield narratives with reflections on the moral complexities of combat. He passed away in 2001, and his memoirs continue to be required reading for military historians and veterans alike.

Born in 1930 in the United States, Robert Ashley served as a soldier in the US Army for over two decades. During his military career, he pursued his passion for music, composing marches and ceremonial pieces for military bands. His compositions were performed at official ceremonies and public events nationwide. After retiring from active duty, Ashley continued to write and arrange music for community bands. He was admired for blending traditional military rhythms with innovative harmonies. Ashley’s works remain part of the repertoire for military and civilian ensembles alike.

William R. Pogue was born in 1930 in Okemah, Oklahoma, and graduated from Oklahoma State University. He served as a fighter pilot in the US Air Force and logged over 7,000 flight hours. Selected by NASA in 1966, Pogue flew as a pilot on the Skylab 4 mission, spending 84 days in space. He conducted numerous scientific and medical experiments aboard the orbital workshop. After NASA, Pogue worked on technology transfer programs and consulting in aerospace. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Aviation and Space Hall of Fame for his pioneering contributions to human spaceflight.