June 21

Born in 1366, Jean Le Maingre dedicated his life to the art of warfare and chivalric honor. Best known as Marshal Boucicaut, he served as Marshal of France under kings Charles VI and Charles VII. He led French forces in Italy, including campaigns in Naples and Milan, demonstrating tactical skill and bravery. Le Maingre also participated in the crusades and upheld the ideals of knighthood on and off the battlefield. An accomplished chronicler, he penned treatises on martial conduct that influenced future generations of knights. He died of the plague during the siege of Brescia on June 21, 1421, leaving a formidable legacy in medieval military history.

Born in 1510 into the powerful Strozzi family of Florence, Piero emerged as a prominent Italian condottiero. Exiled from his native city, he entered French service and was appointed Marshal of France by King Henri II. Strozzi led troops in the Italian Wars, demonstrating bold tactics at battles such as Ceresole and siege operations. He also commanded forces during the defense of Siena and the struggles over Italian territories. Renowned for his bravery and military innovation, Strozzi balanced personal ambition with service to his allies. He sustained mortal wounds during the siege of Thionville and died on June 21, 1558, remembered as a daring Renaissance general.

Born in 1534, Oda Nobunaga rose from his provincial clan to become one of the most formidable warlords of the Sengoku period. He introduced innovative firearms tactics and centralized administration to consolidate power across central Japan. Nobunaga defeated rival clans at key battles, including Okehazama (1560) and Nagashino (1575), reshaping military strategy. A patron of the arts and castle building, he transformed Azuchi Castle into a symbol of his ambition and authority. His ruthless campaigns and reforms paved the way for his successors, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. On June 21, 1582, he met his end in the Honnō-ji Incident, an event that dramatically altered Japan’s path to unification. His legacy endures in Japanese history as a bold innovator who challenged tradition and reshaped a nation.

Born in 1564, Kryštof Harant served as a soldier during the early stages of the Thirty Years' War while nurturing a passion for music and literature. He traveled extensively through Europe and the Holy Land, documenting his journeys in detailed travelogues. As a composer, he wrote madrigals and sacred music that blended Renaissance styles with local traditions. Harant's dual career exemplified the Renaissance ideal of the soldier-scholar-artist. Despite his cultural contributions, he was executed in 1621 following the suppression of the Bohemian Revolt. His writings remain valuable sources for Central European history and musicology.

Born in 1580, John Smith embarked on a naval career that led him to command expeditions against European rivals and pirates. As an admiral, he played a role in shaping early 17th-century English maritime power and naval tactics. Smith led voyages of exploration to the North Atlantic, conducting surveys and producing charts of previously uncharted coastlines. His writings and reports informed the English crown’s expanding global ambitions. He balanced military duties with scientific curiosity, collecting geographical and naturalistic observations. Smith died in 1631, remembered for his contributions to naval warfare and the age of discovery.

Born in 1710 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Richard Gridley began his career fighting in colonial militias before becoming a respected military engineer. Appointed chief engineer by George Washington, he supervised the fortification of Boston during its siege in 1775, constructing the landmark earthworks on Breed’s Hill. Gridley’s expertise in artillery placement and defensive works proved vital in early American victories. He trained officers in engineering techniques that would shape the Continental Army’s strategy. Gridley also contributed to civilian infrastructure projects in New England. He died in 1796, remembered for his foundational role in American military engineering.

Antonio López de Santa Anna was a towering and controversial figure in early Mexican history, serving as president on several occasions between 1833 and 1855. Born in 1794 in the province of Veracruz, he rose to prominence as a military leader defending Mexico's independence. Santa Anna played a central role in conflicts such as the Texas Revolution and the Pastry War. His leadership style was marked by both charisma and authoritarianism, and he lost and regained power multiple times amid national turmoil. He is perhaps best remembered for his defeat at the Battle of San Jacinto, which led to Texas independence. Despite his setbacks, Santa Anna's influence persisted until he went into exile after his final resignation in 1855. He died in Mexico City in 1876, leaving a complex legacy.

Theophilus H. Holmes began his career as an officer in the U.S. Army, seeing action in the Seminole Wars and the Mexican-American War. Born in 1804 in North Carolina, he gained a reputation for bravery and discipline. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Holmes joined the Confederacy and was appointed a lieutenant general. He commanded forces in the Western Theater, including in Arkansas and Louisiana, but faced challenges with logistics and troop morale. His leadership was criticized after several unsuccessful engagements, leading to his removal from field command. After the war, Holmes retired quietly and lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, until his death in 1880. His military service reflects the complex loyalties of American officers in the 19th century.

Smedley Darlington Butler (1881–1940) was a Major General in the United States Marine Corps and one of only two individuals to receive the Medal of Honor twice. Over his 34-year career, he participated in military actions in China, the Philippines, Veracruz, and Haiti. After retiring, he became an outspoken critic of U.S. foreign interventions and authored the influential book 'War Is a Racket'. His transition from decorated war hero to anti-war activist made him a unique voice in American history. Butler's legacy endures as both a symbol of battlefield valor and a critic of warfare profiteering.

Wilfrid Reid 'Wop' May (1896–1952) was a celebrated Canadian pilot and flying ace in World War I, credited with twelve aerial victories. After the war, he became a pioneering bush pilot in Western Canada, flying mail, supplies, and medical aid to remote communities. In 1928, May famously delivered diphtheria antitoxin to Fort Vermilion during a blizzard, saving many lives. He later helped establish civil aviation and served as an airmail pilot, promoting commercial flight routes. May's daring exploits and contributions to early aviation made him a national hero and advanced the development of flight in Canada.

Born in Hudson, Massachusetts, Jared C. Monti enlisted in the U.S. Army and became a Special Forces Sergeant. On June 21, 2006, during a patrol in Afghanistan, he exposed himself to enemy fire to rescue wounded comrades. Monti carried a fellow soldier to safety, sustaining fatal injuries while covering the evacuation. His selfless actions and leadership under fire earned him the Medal of Honor in a ceremony at the White House. He is remembered for his courage, sacrifice, and dedication to his fellow soldiers.

Born in Halle in 1932, Schalck-Golodkowski began his career in the National People's Army. He rose through military ranks before transitioning to political service within the Socialist Unity Party. He later led a covert trade division that negotiated deals to secure hard currency for East Germany. His behind-the-scenes work was instrumental in sustaining the GDR's economy during the Cold War. After reunification, he faced legal scrutiny but published memoirs detailing his activities. Schalck-Golodkowski remained a controversial figure in post-war German history. He died in 2015, leaving a complex legacy at the intersection of military and political spheres.