May 20

Gero the Great, appointed by Emperor Otto I, governed the vast Marca Geronis in eastern Saxony from the mid-10th century. He built a network of fortifications and organized local defenses to protect against Slavic incursions. His military campaigns extended German influence into modern-day Poland and Czech territories, subjugating numerous Slavic tribes. Gero's rule established the model for later frontier margraves in the Holy Roman Empire. He also administered justice and collected tribute, strengthening imperial authority in the region. Gero died in 965 after three decades of leadership, leaving a legacy of territorial consolidation and administrative innovation.

Álvaro Vaz de Almada was a Portuguese nobleman and military commander born in the early 15th century. He distinguished himself in the Hundred Years War, fighting alongside the English at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. In recognition of his valor, he was appointed a founding member of the English Order of the Garter. He also served as a diplomat and counselor to both the English and Portuguese crowns, strengthening the Anglo-Portuguese alliance. In 1445, he was granted the title of 1st Count of Avranches by King Henry VI, a rare honor for a foreign knight. His career exemplifies the close military and political ties between Portugal and England in the medieval period.

Born in 1510, Ashikaga Yoshiharu became shōgun in 1521 at the age of eleven with limited real power, as regional daimyōs held most authority. His tenure was marked by internal strife and the growing influence of powerful military families like the Hosokawa clan. Despite efforts to assert his leadership, Yoshiharu’s control over Kyoto and the Imperial court was repeatedly challenged. He was eventually forced to retire in favor of his son and spent his later years living as a Buddhist monk. His reign highlights the fragmentation and political turbulence of mid-16th-century Japan. Yoshiharu died in 1550, remembered for his attempts to navigate a shifting landscape of feudal authority.

Born in 1601, Shi Kefa rose through the ranks of the Ming bureaucracy to become a trusted military commander and governor-general of Sichuan province. A skilled calligrapher as well as a strategist, he is best remembered for his valiant defense of Yangzhou during the Manchu siege of 1645. Shi’s refusal to surrender and his steadfast leadership inspired loyalty among his troops but ultimately led to his execution after the city fell. His writings and calligraphic works survive as testaments to his intellect and artistic talent. Shi Kefa’s legacy endures in both military history and Chinese cultural memory as a symbol of loyalty and sacrifice during a time of dynastic transition.

Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, was a French aristocrat who became a celebrated general in the American Revolutionary War, earning the trust of George Washington. He contributed strategically and diplomatically to the war effort and played a pivotal role at the Siege of Yorktown. Returning to France, Lafayette championed liberal reforms and helped draft the Declaration of the Rights of Man during the French Revolution. Despite political setbacks and imprisonment, he remained a steadfast advocate for constitutional government. His enduring legacy bridges the histories of France and the United States.

Born in 1887, Valentine Fleming was educated at Eton and Oxford before entering politics. He was elected Conservative Member of Parliament for Henley in 1910. At the outbreak of World War I, he joined the Royal Scots Greys cavalry regiment. He saw action on the Western Front and was mentioned in despatches for bravery. Fleming was killed in action at the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. He is remembered for his dual legacy as a public servant and a war hero. Fleming's son, Ian Fleming, later created the James Bond character.

Josef 'Pips' Priller was born in 1915 and rose to prominence as one of the Luftwaffe's most successful fighter pilots. He achieved over 100 confirmed aerial victories, primarily on the Western Front, and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. Priller famously led a daring low-altitude attack on Allied ships off Normandy on D-Day, demonstrating exceptional skill and courage. He commanded Jagdgeschwader 26 and was known for his leadership and tactical acumen. After the war, he worked in civilian aviation until his death in 1961. Priller's combat record and exploits remain subjects of interest in military aviation history.

Yevgeny Vasilievich Khrunov was born in 1933 and graduated as an engineer before joining the Soviet Air Force. In 1969, he was selected as a cosmonaut and flew aboard Soyuz 5. During that mission, he conducted a spacewalk to transfer crews between Soyuz 5 and Soyuz 4, marking one of the first successful extravehicular excursions. Khrunov's expertise in aerospace engineering contributed to the development of spacecraft flight procedures. After leaving active flight status, he trained new generations of cosmonauts and worked on research projects in the Soviet space program. He was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union and several military honors for his achievements. Khrunov passed away on May 20, 2000, and is remembered as a pioneer of human spaceflight.

William F. Seawell was born in 1918 and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He served as a fighter pilot and commander in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, earning distinguished service awards for his bravery. Seawell rose through the ranks to become a lieutenant general in the U.S. Air Force, holding key leadership positions within Tactical Air Command. After retiring from military service in 1973, he transitioned to the airline industry, serving in executive roles. He authored several books on leadership and military history, sharing his insights on command and strategy. Seawell remained active in veterans' affairs and aerospace organizations until his death. He passed away on May 20, 2005, remembered for his significant contributions to military aviation and leadership.