May 17

Liu Jianfeng (died 17 May 896) was a Tang dynasty general turned warlord in late 9th-century China. Originally serving under the rebel Qin Zongquan, he later broke away to carve out his own power base. He captured Wu'an Circuit (modern Hunan) and established virtually independent rule there. His leadership brought administrative reforms and bolstered local defenses against rival factions. In 896, Liu Jianfeng was assassinated by his subordinate, ending his brief but impactful rule in southern China.

Li Maozhen (856–924) was a military governor and warlord during the collapse of the Tang dynasty. As jiedushi of Fengxiang Circuit, he wielded considerable autonomy in modern Shaanxi. Following the Tang fall, he adopted the title King of Qi and maintained his realm through alliances and warfare. He nurtured cultural activities at his court and oversaw economic recovery in his territories. In 924, after decades of contentious rule, Li Maozhen died, and his dominion was absorbed by successors.

Born in 1745 in Maryland, Gunby began his military career in the Continental Army in 1776. He fought at the battles of Germantown, Monmouth, and Camden, earning promotion to brigadier general. Known for his leadership of riflemen and light infantry, he excelled in frontier-style warfare. After the war, Gunby returned to Maryland and continued to serve in the state militia. His memoirs and reports provide valuable insights into Continental Army operations. He died in 1807, remembered as a steadfast leader in America’s fight for independence.

Armand-Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu, was a French general and statesman born in Paris in 1766. Exiled during the French Revolution, he joined Russian service under Tsar Alexander I before returning to France in 1814. He served as Prime Minister from 1815 to 1818 and again from 1820 to 1821 under King Louis XVIII. Richelieu implemented moderate reforms aimed at reconciling revolutionary changes with monarchical restoration. His diplomatic skill and leadership helped stabilize France after the tumult of the Napoleonic Wars. He is remembered for balancing conservative and liberal forces in post-war France.

Kondō Isami was a Japanese samurai born in Miyagi Prefecture in 1834. He rose to prominence as commander of the Shinsengumi, a special police force tasked with maintaining order in Kyoto during the Bakumatsu period. Under his leadership, the Shinsengumi became known for their strict discipline and effectiveness in suppressing anti-shogunate activities. Kondō fought in several key battles of the Boshin War supporting the Tokugawa shogunate. Captured in 1868, he was executed by imperial forces, becoming a martyr for those loyal to the old regime. His legacy endures in folklore, literature, and popular culture as a symbol of loyalty and martial virtue.

John C. Breckinridge was an American lawyer and politician born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1821. At age 36, he became the youngest Vice President of the United States, serving under President James Buchanan from 1857 to 1861. A supporter of Southern rights, he ran for President in 1860 as the nominee of the Southern Democrats. After the outbreak of the Civil War, Breckinridge served as a general in the Confederate States Army and was appointed Confederate Secretary of War in 1865. He commanded cavalry units in several major campaigns, demonstrating tactical skill on the battlefield. Following the war, he lived in exile before receiving amnesty and returning to Kentucky. Breckinridge died in 1875, remembered for his controversial and complex legacy.

Harold Geiger was born in 1884 in Vermont and graduated from West Point in 1907 before transferring to the Army Signal Corps. He became one of the first certified military aviators, earning his pilot’s license in 1912. Geiger served in the Philippines and later commanded airfields in Hawaii and the Panama Canal Zone. He was a vocal advocate for the strategic use of aircraft in national defense and contributed to the development of early aviation training programs. On May 17, 1927, Geiger died in a crash while inspecting a new airfield at Langley Field, Virginia. In recognition of his contributions, Geiger Field in Texas was named in his honor. His pioneering efforts helped lay the groundwork for the future United States Air Force.

Born in Murree, British India in 1865, Birdwood had a distinguished military career in the British Army. He is best remembered for leading the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) during the Gallipoli campaign in 1915. Following Gallipoli, Birdwood commanded ANZAC and British forces on the Western Front, earning respect for his leadership. He later served as General Officer Commanding in India, overseeing significant military reforms and operations. Promoted to field marshal in 1925, Birdwood's strategic acumen and care for his troops cemented his reputation. His contributions had a lasting impact on military doctrine within the British Empire.

Charles E. Rosendahl was a United States Navy admiral and one of the Navy's foremost airship pilots. Commissioned in 1915, he served aboard the USS Shenandoah, USS Los Angeles, and USS Macon, commanding groundbreaking flights during the 1920s and 1930s. Rosendahl led experimental operations that advanced naval aviation and rigid airship technology. During World War II, he held key leadership roles, including Deputy Chief of Naval Operations. An advocate for aeronautical research, he authored numerous articles and delivered lectures on airship development. He retired with distinction, leaving a lasting impact on naval aviation history.

Lloyd Alexander was born in 1924 in Philadelphia and served as a United States Army infantry officer during World War II. After completing his studies at the University of Paris, he began a prolific writing career that spanned children's fantasy, historical novels, and folklore retellings. His most celebrated work, 'The Chronicles of Prydain' series, earned him the Newbery Medal in 1969 and remains a cornerstone of young adult fantasy literature. Alexander's vivid world-building and compelling characters have influenced generations of writers and readers alike. He authored over 40 books, many of which explore themes of heroism, identity, and the power of storytelling. Alexander died in 2007, leaving a lasting legacy as one of America's most beloved fantasy authors.

Bud Anderson (1922–2024) was an American World War II flying ace credited with 16 aerial victories. Born in Oakland, he served with the 357th Fighter Group, famously known as the Yoxford Boys, flying P-51 Mustangs over Europe. Anderson's daring tactics and leadership earned him the Distinguished Service Cross and numerous other honors. After WWII, he continued his military career flying jet fighters and test aircraft. His memoir and public appearances have kept the legacy of WWII aviation and fighter pilots alive for new generations.