June 12

Born around 1408, John FitzAlan inherited the earldom of Arundel at a young age. He became a prominent commander in the English campaigns in France during the Hundred Years’ War. Known for his leadership and chivalric reputation, he held key posts in Gascony and Normandy. He led several successful skirmishes against French forces but died in 1435 while still in service. His early death marked the loss of a promising young leader in the English peerage.

Born in 1465, Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar took part in Columbus’s second voyage to the New World. He led the conquest and organization of settlements in Cuba and became its first governor. He founded several towns including Baracoa and Santiago de Cuba, laying the groundwork for Spanish Cuba. Velázquez de Cuéllar also played a key role in expeditions to the mainland, influencing future expeditions. He oversaw the island’s administration until his death in 1524, shaping early colonial society.

Ii Naomori was born in 1506 and served as a trusted samurai under Imagawa Yoshimoto. He held the Ii family’s holdings in Totomi Province, supporting Imagawa’s campaigns. At the Battle of Okehazama in 1560, he fought valiantly but was killed alongside his lord. His death symbolized the fall of Imagawa’s power and the rise of Oda Nobunaga in the Sengoku period. Naomori’s legacy continued through his son, who later served Tokugawa Ieyasu.

James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick (1670–1734), was the illegitimate son of King James II of England who became a celebrated military commander in French service. He led French forces in major conflicts such as the War of the Spanish Succession, earning renown for his tactical skill. Appointed a marshal of France, he also held political office as Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire. His dual career bridged the courts of England and France in a tumultuous era. Remembered as one of the era's great military minds, he died in 1734 after a storied career.

Pierre Augereau (1757–1816) was a French military commander who rose from humble origins to become a Marshal of France under Napoleon Bonaparte. He distinguished himself in early Revolutionary campaigns, earning promotion through his bold attacks. As a wing commander at the battles of Arcole and Rivoli, he secured key victories for the French Republic. Under Napoleon, he led corps during major engagements such as the Battle of Austerlitz. His aggressive style and loyalty to his emperor made him one of the era's most celebrated officers.

Born in Smolensk in 1893, Mikhail Tukhachevsky rose rapidly during the Russian Civil War. He became a marshal of the Soviet Union and pioneered the concepts of deep operations and mechanized warfare. Tukhachevsky commanded forces in the Polish–Soviet War and oversaw military modernization in the 1920s and 1930s. His strategies influenced the development of armored tactics used during World War II. In 1937, he was executed during Stalin's Great Purge, and his reputation was rehabilitated posthumously in 1957.

Erich Marcks was born in 1891 and served on the Eastern Front during World War I. After the war, he studied military theory and taught at the Prussian Military Academy. During World War II, Marcks helped plan the invasion of France and Operation Barbarossa as a staff officer. He later commanded the V Corps on the Eastern Front. Marcks was killed in Normandy in 1944 when Allied aircraft attacked his command post. His operational ideas were recorded in his detailed war diaries.

Born in 1953, Ian McKay enlisted in the Scots Guards at a young age and served with distinction. During the Battle of Mount Longdon on June 11-12, 1982, he led a daring assault on enemy machine-gun positions. Despite heavy fire, he single-handedly neutralized key emplacements, enabling his platoon to advance. He was mortally wounded during the action and was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously. McKay's bravery and sacrifice remain a symbol of valor and heroism in British military history.

Nicky Barr was born in Sydney in 1915 and excelled as a flanker for the Australian Wallabies, earning seven international caps before the war. During World War II, he joined the Royal Australian Air Force and flew combat missions in the Pacific theatre. Barr achieved ace status with multiple aerial victories and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his courage under fire. After the war, he returned to rugby, contributing as a player and coach at the club level. His dual achievements in top-level sport and military service have cemented his reputation as one of Australia's most remarkable all-round figures.