May 02

Born in 1567, Sebald de Weert joined the Dutch East India Company. He was appointed vice-admiral and led voyages to the Moluccas in 1598. He charted parts of the southern Atlantic in search of new trade routes. His expedition encountered challenging seas and made early contacts in Asia. He was shipwrecked on the African coast and died in 1603. He is remembered for his contributions to early Dutch naval exploration.

Born on May 2, 1750 in London, England. André served as adjutant general in the British Army in America. He orchestrated Benedict Arnold’s plan to surrender West Point to the British. Captured by American forces, he was tried and convicted as a spy. André was executed by hanging on October 2, 1780. He became a sympathetic figure in British literature and art.

Born into German aristocracy, Richthofen began his military career in the cavalry before transferring to the Imperial German Air Service. He achieved 80 confirmed aerial victories, making him the most successful fighter pilot of World War I. His bright red aircraft earned him the nickname "Red Baron" and made him a legendary figure in aviation history. Richthofen was respected by both friends and foes for his chivalry and skill in dogfights. He led Jagdgeschwader 1 ("The Flying Circus"), implementing tactical innovations that influenced aerial tactics. Richthofen was killed in action in 1918 at the age of 25, but his legacy endures as a symbol of heroic combat.

Born in Tennessee in 1910. Commissioned as a United States Marine Corps officer, he served with distinction in the Pacific Theater during World War II. In November 1943, during the Battle of Tarawa, Bonnyman volunteered to lead an assault on heavily defended enemy positions. Exposed to intense hostile fire, he destroyed multiple bunkers and aided wounded marines until he was killed in action. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary bravery and self-sacrifice, leaving a lasting legacy as a Marine Corps hero.

Born in Quảng Nam in 1917, he joined the Viet Minh to fight French colonial forces during the First Indochina War. Rising through the ranks, he became Commander-in-Chief of the People's Army of Vietnam, leading key campaigns including the Ho Chi Minh Campaign of 1975. His strategic planning was instrumental in the fall of Saigon, marking the end of the Vietnam War. In 1980, he was appointed Minister of Defence, overseeing the modernization of Vietnam’s military. He served on the Communist Party’s Politburo, shaping national defense and security policies. Văn Tiến Dũng retired in 1986 and passed away in 2002, remembered as one of Vietnam’s foremost military leaders.

Sir Hugh Cortazzi served in the British Army during World War II before joining the Foreign Service in 1952. He held posts in Tokyo, Ottawa, and Tehran, building a reputation for diplomacy and scholarship. From 1980 to 1984, he was the British Ambassador to Japan, promoting trade, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding. A noted historian, Cortazzi authored and edited numerous works on Japanese history, society, and diplomatic relations. He later chaired the Japan Society and was honored with the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government. His career bridged two cultures and left a lasting legacy in UK-Japan relations.