June 25

William de Montagu succeeded his father as the 2nd Earl of Salisbury and became a prominent commander under Edward III. He fought in key battles such as Crécy and Poitiers during the Hundred Years' War. As a nobleman, he managed extensive estates and maintained close ties to the royal court. His leadership and strategies contributed to England's military successes against France. William's family remained influential in English politics and warfare after his death.

Born into the influential Corner family of Venice, Girolamo Corner held key political offices in the republic. He served as provveditore generale during the Cretan War, leading naval operations against the Ottoman Empire. Corner was celebrated for his strategic acumen in maintaining Venetian maritime power. He also undertook diplomatic missions to secure European alliances against Ottoman expansion. His death in 1690 marked the end of a distinguished career in both politics and military affairs.

Joseph Foullon de Doué was born in 1715 and pursued a military career before entering royal administration. He rose to prominence as Controller-General of Finances for King Louis XVI, overseeing France's treasury. Known for strict tax policies and cost-cutting measures, he became deeply unpopular among commoners. On July 22, 1789, in the early days of the French Revolution, he was captured and brutally killed by an angry mob. His death became a notorious symbol of public outrage against the Ancien Régime's financial burdens. His legacy highlights the tensions that led to revolutionary upheaval in France.

Émile Francqui was born in Brussels in 1863 and began his career as an officer in the Belgian Army. He later transitioned to diplomacy, serving as the Belgian representative in international negotiations. Francqui played a key role in post-World War I reconstruction and strengthened Belgium's economic ties abroad. He co-founded the National Bank of Belgium and the Belgian American Educational Foundation. His philanthropic efforts supported educational and scientific initiatives through generous endowments. Francqui's legacy endures in institutions that continue to foster academic and economic collaboration.

Géza Gyóni was born in 1884 in Hungary and initially pursued a career as a teacher and writer. During World War I, he served in the Austro-Hungarian army and experienced the front lines firsthand. Gyóni’s wartime poems, including his collection 'Az Élet álma' ('The Dream of Life'), conveyed the hardships of soldiers. Captured by Russian forces, he continued writing in captivity before his death in 1917. His poetry blends patriotic fervor with poignant reflections on the human cost of conflict. Gyóni remains celebrated for his vivid war verse in Hungarian literature.

Henry H. 'Hap' Arnold was born in Pennsylvania in 1886 and became a pioneer in military aviation. He served as the first Chief of the U.S. Army Air Corps and later commanded the Army Air Forces during World War II. Arnold was instrumental in expanding American air power and overseeing the development of strategic bombing. In 1944, he became the only officer in U.S. history to hold five-star rank in two branches of the armed forces. After the war, he continued to shape U.S. military aviation until his retirement. Arnold’s leadership and vision laid the foundation for the modern United States Air Force.

Shirō Ishii was born in 1892 in Japan and trained as a bacteriologist. He rose through the ranks of the Imperial Japanese Army to the rank of general by 1941. Ishii founded and commanded Unit 731 in Manchuria, researching biological weapons and disease experiments. Under his direction, the unit developed pathogens such as plague and anthrax for military use. After the war, he avoided prosecution by providing data to Allied authorities. Ishii's work remains infamous for its ethical violations and human rights atrocities.

Louis Mountbatten was a distinguished Royal Navy officer who served with valor in both World Wars. As the 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, he became the last Viceroy of India in 1947, guiding the nation to independence. He then served as the first Governor-General of the Dominion of India, helping shape its early post-colonial government. Mountbatten's diplomatic skills and military background made him a key figure in the British Empire's transformation. He held high command positions in the Royal Navy, including Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia Command. His later life involved public service, and he remained an influential advisor to the British royal family. Mountbatten's legacy is remembered for both military achievements and historical role in decolonization.

Sam Francis was born on June 25, 1923, and balanced careers as an American soldier and an influential abstract expressionist painter. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he studied art through the G.I. Bill and developed a unique style characterized by vibrant color fields and dynamic brushwork. Francis exhibited widely in Europe and the United States, earning acclaim for his large-scale canvases and lyrical approach to abstraction. He drew inspiration from Eastern philosophy and calligraphy, integrating spontaneity and disciplined control in his work. His contributions helped shape post-war modern art, and his paintings remain in major museums around the world. Francis died in 1994, leaving a prolific body of art that continues to inspire contemporary artists.

Born in 1935, Salihu Ibrahim graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy and quickly rose through the ranks. He held command positions including Commander of the 3rd Armoured Division and head of the Nigerian peacekeeping contingent. In 1993, he was appointed Chief of Army Staff, navigating the military during a turbulent political era. Ibrahim implemented reforms to professionalize the army and maintain stability. After retiring, he remained an elder statesman until his death in 2018.

Born in the Netherlands in 1946, Roméo Dallaire moved to Canada as a child and embarked on a distinguished military career. As Force Commander of UNAMIR in 1994, he witnessed the Rwandan genocide firsthand and tirelessly sought international support to halt the violence. His experiences inspired the bestselling book Shake Hands with the Devil, which won numerous awards and was adapted into a documentary. After retiring, Dallaire became a senator and advocate for human rights, focusing on PTSD and child soldiers. His bravery and moral leadership have made him a global voice for peace and humanitarian action.