June 26

Abner Doubleday was born on June 26, 1819, in Ballston Spa, New York. A West Point graduate, he served in the artillery and engineering corps before the outbreak of the Civil War. Doubleday rose to prominence at the First Battle of Bull Run and later commanded divisions in key engagements such as the Battle of Antietam. He earned a reputation for calm leadership under fire and dedication to his troops. After the war, Doubleday commanded several military districts and remained in the Regular Army until his retirement. Though a commission in the early 20th century wrongly attributed the invention of baseball to him, historians have since debunked the claim. Doubleday died in 1893, remembered as a courageous soldier and military engineer.

Samuel Dale Watkins served as a private in the Confederate Army's First Tennessee Regiment and later authored one of the most vivid memoirs of the American Civil War. Born in 1839, he fought in major battles such as Shiloh and Chickamauga, recording his experiences with candid detail. His memoir, Company Aytch, published in 1882, offers an intimate look at daily soldier life, hardships, and camaraderie. After the war, Watkins became a journalist, using his writing to preserve the stories of his comrades. His work remains a primary source for understanding the Confederate perspective during the Civil War.

Lieutenant General Lewis 'Chesty' Puller was a decorated United States Marine born on June 26, 1898. He is the most decorated Marine in U.S. history, earning five Navy Crosses for valor. Puller served with distinction in World War II and the Korean War, earning a reputation for aggressive leadership. His front-line presence and concern for his troops made him a legendary figure in Marine Corps lore. After 37 years of service, he retired as one of the Corps' most respected officers. Puller's legacy endures in Marine tradition and popular military culture.

Bronisław Żurakowski was a distinguished Polish pilot and aerospace engineer. He served as a test pilot for various Soviet aircraft, including the MiG-15. His engineering expertise contributed to improvements in aircraft performance and safety. After WWII, he joined aviation research institutes, designing flight control systems. Żurakowski published numerous technical papers and mentored young engineers. His work influenced modern aeronautical engineering in Eastern Europe. He was honored with several aviation awards before his death in 2009.

Raleigh Rhodes (1918–2007), also known as Dusty Rhodes, was an American combat fighter pilot and pioneering Tuskegee Airman. He flew combat missions in World War II with the 332nd Fighter Group, protecting bomber formations over Europe. Rhodes later served in the Korean War, achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel. He overcame racial segregation to become one of the most decorated African-American pilots of his era. After retiring from the Air Force, he advocated for veterans and civil rights. Rhodes's valor helped pave the way for the integration of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Born in Paris in 1921 to a French father and British mother, Violette Szabo joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in 1942 before transferring to the SOE. She underwent rigorous training in explosives, wireless operation, and unarmed combat. In 1944 she parachuted into the Auvergne region on her first mission, gathering intelligence and organizing local resistance. She returned to France later that year carrying forged documents and arms for guerrilla fighters. Szabo was captured by the Gestapo, endured brutal interrogation, and was deported to Ravensbrück concentration camp. She was executed in early 1945 but posthumously awarded the George Cross and the Croix de guerre for her courage and sacrifice.

James W. McCord Jr. was born in Texas in 1924 and served in the Office of Strategic Services during World War II before joining the CIA. He worked on covert operations in Europe and Vietnam before becoming security coordinator for President Nixon’s 1972 re-election campaign. McCord participated in the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate complex and was arrested on June 17, 1972. His guilty plea and subsequent letter alleging White House pressure fueled the Senate investigation into White House involvement. McCord’s testimony helped unravel the cover-up that led to President Nixon’s resignation in 1974. After the scandal, he worked in private security consulting until his death in 2017.

Jean Frydman (1925–2021) was a member of the French Resistance during World War II, aiding in intelligence and sabotage operations against occupying forces. After the war, he became a prominent businessman, investing in media and technology ventures. He co-founded Europe 1, a leading radio station, and held executive roles in various companies. Frydman was recognized for his contributions to France’s reconstruction and economic growth. His life story exemplifies resilience and innovation, bridging wartime heroism and corporate leadership.

Benjamin Adekunle was a Nigerian army officer who rose to prominence during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970). Nicknamed 'Black Scorpion' for his aggressive tactics, he commanded the 3rd Marine Commando Division. Adekunle led successful campaigns in the Niger Delta and captured key seaports, restricting Biafran supply lines. He was celebrated for his leadership but also criticized for the humanitarian impact of his operations. After the war, he held various military and diplomatic posts before retiring as a brigadier general. His career remains debated for both his military skill and the war's controversies. Adekunle passed away in 2014, leaving a complex legacy in Nigerian military history.

Born in 1939, Charles “Chuck” Robb served as a Marine Corps captain in Vietnam, earning the Silver Star for valor. After earning his law degree, he entered politics and was elected lieutenant governor of Virginia in 1978. He became the state’s 64th governor in 1982, focusing on education and economic development. Robb later represented Virginia in the U.S. Senate from 1989 to 2001, where he worked on defense and veterans’ affairs. His career bridges military service and public leadership, reflecting a commitment to civic duty.

Simon Mann was born on June 26, 1952, in Plymouth, England. He attended Eton College before training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and serving with the British Army’s Special Air Service. Later, Mann founded private security firm Sandline International, contracting operations in Africa. In 2004, he was arrested in Zimbabwe for his role in an attempted coup d’état in Equatorial Guinea. Convicted and imprisoned, he spent five years behind bars before being granted a presidential pardon in 2009. After his release, Mann became a consultant and writer on security affairs. His life story highlights the murky world of private military operations.

Geoffrey Patrick Wellington Mercer was born on June 26, 1956, in Cardiff, Wales. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served as an infantry officer with the Scots Guards, seeing action in Northern Ireland, the Gulf War, and Bosnia. After leaving the army in 1996, he entered politics and was elected as Conservative MP for Newark in 2001. As a backbench MP and later shadow minister, he focused on defense and national security issues. In 2013, Mercer resigned from Parliament following allegations of paid advocacy. After politics, he has written on security matters and returned to defense consulting. His career bridged frontline military service and political advocacy on defense policy.