March 17

Titus Labienus began his career as an able legate under Julius Caesar, playing a major role in the conquest of Gaul. When civil war erupted in 49 BC, Labienus sided with Pompey the Great and led Pompeian forces in Spain. He demonstrated tactical skill at the Battle of Ilerda but was ultimately defeated at Munda in 45 BC. His defection marked a significant turning point in the Roman civil war and influenced Caesar's campaigns. Labienus's military career continues to be studied for its lessons in loyalty and strategy.

Publius Attius Varus served as governor of the Africa Province and raised legions in support of Pompey the Great. He secured an early victory against Caesar's lieutenant Gaius Scribonius Curio but was later outmaneuvered by Julius Caesar's main forces. Varus commanded Pompeian troops at the Battle of Thapsus in 46 BC and suffered a decisive defeat. After the loss, he fled by sea and died in 45 BC. His career exemplifies the political and military turbulence of the late Roman Republic.

Philip of Montfort was a French noble and crusader active during the mid-13th century. He held the lordships of Castres and later Tyre in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. As a key military leader, he supported King Louis IX during the Seventh Crusade. Montfort navigated the complex politics of the crusader states, forging alliances with European and Levantine nobles. He was known for his martial prowess and diplomatic skill in the Holy Land. Philip of Montfort was killed in 1270, leaving a notable mark on crusader history.

Ashikaga Yoshikazu was the fourth shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate, serving from 1423 to 1425. Born in 1407, he inherited the position at a young age following his father's tenure. His rule was marked by efforts to maintain the delicate balance of power among samurai clans. Yoshikazu’s short reign saw limited military campaigns and the continuation of Ashikaga patronage of the arts. He died unexpectedly in 1425, and his early death led to a period of regency under senior advisors. Though his time in power was brief, he upheld the structures of Muromachi governance inherited from his predecessors.

Rana Sanga was the king of Mewar in Rajasthan, leading the Rajput confederacy in the early 16th century. Born in 1482, he united various Rajput clans to resist the Sultanate of Delhi and other invaders. Sanga achieved notable victories at battles such as Khatoli and Makrana. He challenged the expansion of Ibrahim Lodi and later faced the Mughal emperor Babur at Khanwa. Despite his defeat at Khanwa, Rana Sanga remains celebrated for his valor and sense of honor. He died in 1527, his legacy inspiring Rajput resistance for generations.

Born in 1641 in the Netherlands, Menno van Coehoorn joined the Dutch army and quickly distinguished himself as an engineer. He authored influential treatises on fortifications, introducing new principles for star forts and siegecraft. Van Coehoorn's techniques proved decisive in late 17th-century conflicts, rivaling those of France’s famed Marquis de Vauban. His design innovations were adopted across Europe, setting standards for military architecture for generations. Van Coehoorn's legacy endures in the enduring strength and strategic layout of fortresses inspired by his work.

Laurent de Gouvion Saint-Cyr (1764–1830) was a distinguished French general and politician. He rose through the ranks during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars, earning prestigious victories in Italy and Germany. Napoleon appointed him Marshal of France in 1807, recognizing his military reforms and tactical skill. As Minister of War in 1815, he oversaw the restoration of the French army under King Louis XVIII. Saint-Cyr was known for his attention to troop welfare and innovative defensive strategies. His memoirs and writings influenced French military thought long after his death.

Aleksei Brusilov (1853–1926) was a Georgian-Russian general in the Imperial Russian Army renowned for the 1916 Brusilov Offensive, one of the most successful Allied operations of World War I. His innovative tactics, including surprise attacks and infiltration methods, broke through Austro-Hungarian lines and inflicted heavy casualties. Brusilov began his career in the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878) and later served with distinction in the Russo-Japanese War. After the Russian Revolution, he briefly supported the White movement but ultimately retired from military service. He remains celebrated for his strategic acumen and leadership under challenging circumstances.

Nada Dimić (1923–1942) was a Yugoslav Partisan who joined the anti-fascist resistance during World War II in occupied Yugoslavia. Born in Hrvatska Dubica, she demonstrated exceptional courage in operations against occupying forces. After being captured and tortured by enemy troops in 1942, she refused to divulge information and remained steadfast in her convictions. Dimić was posthumously awarded the Order of the People's Hero for her bravery and sacrifice at just 19 years old. Her legacy continues to inspire those who fight for freedom and justice.

Dai Li (1897–1946) was a Chinese military officer and head of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, the secret police and intelligence arm of Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist government. Educated at Whampoa Military Academy and in Germany, he built an extensive espionage network both within China and abroad. Known for his ruthless methods, Dai suppressed Communist operatives and internal dissent, cementing his reputation as a feared intelligence chief. His operations were central to the Nationalist regime's stability during the Chinese Civil War. Dai Li died in a plane crash in 1946, leaving a controversial legacy in the annals of modern Chinese intelligence.

Born in 1923, Clarence D. Lester earned his wings in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served with the famed Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, flying escorted missions over Europe. He demonstrated exceptional skill and bravery, contributing to the Allies' air campaign while challenging segregation in the armed forces. After the war, Lester remained a vocal advocate for veterans' rights and the integration of the U.S. military. His legacy endures as a symbol of perseverance and progress in the fight for racial equality until his passing in 1986.

Born in 1917, Văn Tiến Dũng joined the Viet Minh resistance against French colonial forces, rising through the ranks to become one of Vietnam's most prominent military leaders. He commanded North Vietnamese Army units during the final offensive of the Vietnam War, leading to the fall of Saigon in 1975. After the war, Dũng served as the 6th Minister of Defence from 1980 to 1986, overseeing modernization efforts and the country's military strategy. He also directed operations during the Cambodian–Vietnamese War, further shaping the region's geopolitics. Known for his strategic acumen and commitment, Dũng authored military doctrines still studied by officers today. He retired in the late 1980s and died in 2002, remembered as a defining figure in Vietnam's military history.