March 11

Born in Aberdeenshire in 1707, John Forbes served in the British Army for over three decades. He rose to prominence through campaigns in Europe and North America before being appointed to lead an expedition to capture Fort Duquesne in 1758. Forbes meticulously planned the march through challenging terrain and negotiated with Native American tribes. Despite falling ill, he succeeded in establishing the town of Pittsburgh on the site of the former French fort. His efforts opened the Ohio Valley to British settlement and helped shape the future of colonial America. Forbes died in 1759, and the road he established remains a historic route today.

Born in Derbyshire, England, in 1803, Sir James Outram joined the East India Company's army at a young age and gained distinction in the First Anglo-Afghan War. He served with great courage in the Persia campaign of 1856–57 and was knighted for his service. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Outram led relief efforts to the besieged city of Lucknow and earned the title 'Bayard of India' for his chivalry. His diplomatic skills also secured alliances with Indian princes and preserved British interests. Outram's memoirs and letters provide valuable insights into colonial military history. He died in 1863, remembered as one of Britain's most respected military leaders of the era.

William Rosecrans was born in Ohio in 1819 and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1842. He served with distinction in the Mexican–American War and later as a commander in the western theater of the Civil War. Rosecrans achieved a hard-fought victory at the Battle of Stones River but suffered a major setback at Chickamauga. After resigning his commission, he entered politics and served as a U.S. congressman from California. Rosecrans also worked in the railroad industry, contributing to western expansion. He died in 1898, remembered for both his military service and public leadership.

Born in Paris in 1879, Henri Giraud graduated from Saint-Cyr and served in World War I. Captured by German forces in 1940, he famously escaped from Königstein Fortress in 1942. Giraud assumed command of French forces in North Africa and co-headed the Free French movement with Charles de Gaulle. He played a key role in Operation Dragoon, the Allied invasion of southern France, in 1944. After the war, Giraud briefly held governmental positions but retired from public life. He died on March 11, 1949, remembered for his daring escape and military leadership.

He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1912 and served as a decorated pilot during World War I. In the late 1920s, Byrd led pioneering expeditions to Antarctica and claimed to have flown over the South Pole in 1929. He established scientific bases that advanced meteorological and geological research on the frozen continent. His leadership combined military discipline with adventurous spirit, earning him the Medal of Honor. Byrd's achievements inspired generations of explorers and expanded humanity's understanding of polar regions.

James B. Morehead was born in 1916 and became a distinguished fighter pilot during World War II. He earned credit for multiple aerial victories while serving with the United States Army Air Forces. Morehead's leadership and skill in the cockpit earned him numerous decorations, including the Distinguished Service Cross. After the war, he continued his military career and reached the rank of colonel. Morehead also contributed to training new generations of pilots during the early jet age. His wartime bravery and service left a mark on American aviation history.