May 21

Born in 1443 to the powerful Howard family, Thomas Howard became a key figure in late medieval England. He distinguished himself in military campaigns, earning acclaim for his leadership against turbulence at home and abroad. Appointed Lord High Treasurer, he managed royal finances and exerted significant influence at court. His political acumen helped navigate the complexities of Henry VII and Henry VIII’s reigns. Through strategic marriages and alliances, he reinforced his family's status and power. His career set the stage for the Howard family's enduring prominence in Tudor politics.

Luis Fajardo came from a distinguished Spanish noble family and rose to the rank of admiral. He commanded ships that protected Spain’s maritime interests against corsairs and rival powers. Fajardo’s leadership reinforced Spanish control in the Mediterranean and Atlantic. He managed naval operations with strategic skill and contributed to maritime defense. His noble status and military career exemplified the Spanish Habsburgs’ reliance on trusted aristocrats. Though details of his early life remain sparse, his service left an imprint on Spain’s naval tradition.

James Graham was born in 1612 into the Scottish aristocracy and inherited extensive lands at a young age. Initially aligned with the Covenanters, he later became a staunch Royalist commander for King Charles I. Montrose’s daring guerrilla campaign won decisive victories such as the Battle of Tippermuir and Aberdeen. His tactical brilliance earned him fame but also led to eventual defeat and exile. Montrose returned briefly to Scotland in 1650 but was captured and executed for treason. Remembered for his military prowess and stirring poetry, he remains a legendary figure in Scottish history.

Alexander Joseph Sulkowski was born into Polish nobility in 1695. He entered military service in the Saxon army and rose to the rank of general under King Augustus III. Sulkowski fought in several campaigns during the War of the Austrian Succession, earning recognition for his leadership. He was appointed Field Marshal and held important administrative roles in the Saxon military establishment. Known for his strategic acumen, he contributed to the defense of Saxony against Prussian forces. Sulkowski’s military career reflected the complex alliances of 18th-century European warfare.

Arturo Prat was a Chilean naval officer born in 1848 who became a symbol of heroism in the War of the Pacific. He commanded the corvette Esmeralda during the Battle of Iquique on May 21, 1879, and led a courageous boarding action against the Peruvian ironclad Huáscar. Prat was killed in the engagement but his bravery inspired Chilean morale and commemorations. Educated as a lawyer and trained in naval academies, he combined legal acumen with military skill. His actions established traditions of service and sacrifice within the Chilean Navy. Prat’s legacy endures in memorials, naval units, and patriotic celebrations throughout Chile.

Born in 1875, Gobyato graduated from the Moscow Military Engineering School. He served in the Russo-Japanese War, where he began developing mobile artillery solutions. Gobyato designed one of the first modern mortars to support infantry in trench warfare. His innovations influenced artillery tactics during World War I. He was killed in action on May 21, 1915, while directing mortar fire on the front lines. Gobyato's legacy endures in artillery engineering and military history.

Born in 1897 in Lubny, Russian Empire, Ivan Konev entered military service during World War I. He served with distinction in the Red Army during the Russian Civil War and rose quickly through the ranks. During World War II, Konev commanded forces in crucial battles including the defense of Moscow and the liberation of Eastern Europe. He led the 1st Ukrainian Front in the Vistula–Oder offensive and was instrumental in the Battle of Berlin. After the war, he held high command positions and oversaw Soviet forces in Eastern Europe. Konev's strategic leadership and battlefield achievements earned him the title of Marshal of the Soviet Union. He died in 1973, remembered as one of the USSR's most celebrated military figures.

Born in 1964, Roman Dumbadze climbed the ranks to lead the 25th Motorized Rifle Brigade in the Georgian Army. During the 2008 conflict with Russia, he defied orders and surrendered his unit to Russian forces. His defection stirred controversy within Georgia and led to his conviction in absentia. Dumbadze sought refuge in Russia, where he remained until his death in 2012. He remains a divisive figure symbolizing the internal tensions of a post-Soviet military landscape.