March 18

Jacques de Molay was born into a noble French family around 1244 and joined the Knights Templar as a young man. He rose through the ranks to become Grand Master in 1292, leading the order during the waning years of the Crusader states. Under his command, the Templars defended Christian holdings in the Holy Land and managed extensive banking operations across Europe. In 1307, King Philip IV of France orchestrated a campaign against the order; de Molay was arrested, tortured, and forced to confess under duress. He was condemned for heresy and burned at the stake on March 18, 1314, declaring the order's innocence until his death. His execution marked the end of one of medieval Europe's most powerful military orders. De Molay became a martyr figure, inspiring legends and literary works for centuries.

Geoffroy de Charney served as the Preceptor of Normandy for the Knights Templar in the early 14th century. He oversaw the order's properties and military operations in northern France. During the suppression of the Templars in 1307, de Charney was imprisoned and subjected to torture to extract false confessions. Alongside Grand Master Jacques de Molay, he was tried and convicted of heresy by a French royal court. On March 18, 1314, de Charney was burned at the stake on an island in the Seine River in Paris. His death symbolized the brutal end of the Templar order and left a lasting legacy of injustice. De Charney is remembered as a loyal knight who suffered persecution for his faith.

Born into the influential Anglo-Irish Chichester family in 1606, he inherited the earldom of Donegall and vast estates in Ulster. A career soldier, he commanded regiments in Ireland, remaining loyal to the monarchy during the English Civil War period. Created Earl of Donegall in 1647, he played a central role in maintaining Protestant ascendancy in the region. He managed complex relations between the Crown and local nobility, navigating political upheaval with skill. His leadership strengthened the Chichester family's prominence in Irish affairs. He died in 1675, remembered for his service to the Crown and his contributions to Irish peerage.

Born into a Puritan family, Dixwell served in the parliamentary army during the English Civil War. He was elected to the First and Second Parliaments of the Protectorate under Oliver Cromwell. In January 1649, he was a signatory of the death warrant of King Charles I, marking him as a regicide. After the Restoration, he fled England to avoid prosecution, adopting aliases in Switzerland and New England. Settling in New Haven, Connecticut, he lived under the name of James Davids and continued quiet public service. He died in 1689, his dramatic life illustrating the perils of revolutionary politics.

R. A. Lafferty was born in 1914 and served as a U.S. Army soldier during World War II. After the war, he embarked on a prolific writing career, publishing numerous science fiction short stories and novels. Lafferty's work is noted for its playful language, mythical themes, and unconventional plots. His notable books include "Past Master" and the story collection "Arrive at Easterwine." He was nominated for multiple Hugo and Nebula Awards and earned a devoted cult following. Beyond fiction, he wrote essays blending humor, folklore, and philosophical reflections. Lafferty died in 2002, leaving behind a unique legacy in speculative literature.

William R. Charette was born in Ludington, Michigan, in 1932 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17. As a hospital corpsman attached to the 1st Marine Division during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in 1953, he shielded wounded Marines from intense enemy fire. Despite being wounded himself, Charette administered life-saving care under harrowing conditions. For his extraordinary bravery, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, becoming one of the few corpsmen to receive the nation's highest military decoration. After the war, he served as a naval recruiter and continued to mentor young service members. Charette died in 2012, leaving a legacy of courage and compassion.

William G. Moore Jr. was born in South Carolina in 1920 and enlisted in the Army Air Forces in 1942. He flew combat missions during World War II and later held leadership positions in Strategic Air Command. Moore rose to the rank of four-star general, overseeing bomber forces and contributing to Cold War deterrence strategy. He served as Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and advised on nuclear readiness. After retiring in 1977, he remained active in aerospace consulting and veterans' affairs. Moore passed away in 2012, remembered for his strategic vision and service.

Muhammad Mahmood Alam was born in 1935 in Calcutta and joined the Pakistan Air Force in the 1950s. During the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War, he famously reported shooting down five Indian aircraft in under a minute. His extraordinary feat earned him the title 'Falcon of the Subcontinent' and the Sitara-e-Jurat, Pakistan's third highest military award. Alam later served as a diplomat and air force instructor, sharing his combat experience with new generations of pilots. He remained a revered figure in Pakistan's military history until his death in 2013. His legacy endures as one of the most celebrated fighter aces of South Asian aviation.

Thomas P. Stafford was a distinguished U.S. Air Force officer and NASA astronaut, flying on Gemini 6A, 9A, and commanding Apollo 10—the "dress rehearsal" for the first Moon landing. As a test pilot, he evaluated cutting-edge aircraft, contributing to military and spaceflight advancements. Stafford later served in NASA’s management, promoting international cooperation in space exploration. His calm leadership and technical expertise earned him numerous awards, including the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. Stafford’s legacy endures in the annals of human spaceflight history.