May 11

José Mariano Salas was a Mexican general and statesman active in the early republic. He began his military career fighting for independence against Spanish rule. He played key roles in regional conflicts and rose through the ranks under Antonio López de Santa Anna. In 1846, he briefly served as provisional president, restoring centralist government during the Mexican–American War. His administration reordered the political landscape amid national turmoil. After leaving office, he continued to influence military and political affairs until his death in 1867. His legacy reflects the complexities of post-independence Mexico.

Born in 1888 in North Carolina, Willis Augustus Lee excelled at the US Naval Academy and became an expert marksman. He won two gold medals and a silver at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics in rifle shooting. During World War II, as commander of battleship forces, he played a crucial role in the naval battles at Guadalcanal and Leyte Gulf. Lee's tactical decisions and innovative use of radar helped secure pivotal victories against the Imperial Japanese Navy. Tragically, he died in a car accident in December 1945 aboard his flagship, the USS Missouri. Lee is remembered as one of the most accomplished naval officers and shooters in US history.

Born in Port Louis, Mauritius in 1905, Lise de Baissac joined Britain’s Special Operations Executive in 1940. Operating under the codename 'Odile', she parachuted into occupied France to organize resistance networks and coordinate sabotage missions. Captured by the Gestapo on two occasions, she managed daring escapes each time to continue her mission. After the war, de Baissac was honored with the MBE and the French Croix de Guerre for her bravery. Her memoirs and legacy highlight the critical role of female agents in undermining Axis powers.