July 03

Active during the late 9th century, he rose to become the prefect of Hang Prefecture. In 886 he rebelled against the Tang court and took control of the surrounding region. He declared himself the ruler of a short-lived state and minted his own currency. His expansionist ambitions brought him into conflict with fellow warlord Qian Liu. In 896 he was overthrown and executed, ending his brief bid for autonomy. His career illustrates the fragmentation of power in the waning years of the Tang dynasty.

Born in 1423 to a noble French family, he joined the Knights Hospitaller. He was elected Grand Master in 1476 and fortified Rhodes against Ottoman threats. In 1480 he successfully repelled an Ottoman invasion, solidifying his military reputation. He commissioned the construction of massive walls and bastions to protect the island. His leadership preserved the last Christian stronghold in the eastern Mediterranean. He died in 1503, remembered as one of the order's most effective commanders.

Antonio de Ulloa (1716–1795) was a Spanish naval officer, mathematician, and natural philosopher who participated in the famed French Geodesic Mission to South America. He made significant contributions to astronomy and natural history by documenting new species and measuring meridian arcs near the equator. In 1766, he was appointed the first Spanish governor of Louisiana, where he navigated complex political challenges during the brief transfer of power. Ulloa’s diplomatic skills were tested when local colonists rebelled against his administration, ultimately leading to his recall to Spain. His writings on meteorology, mineralogy, and naval engineering influenced scientific thought across Europe.

George Hull Ward (1826–1863) was an American lawyer and Union Army officer who rose to the rank of brigadier general during the Civil War. He began his service as colonel of the 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry, distinguishing himself in engagements in Virginia and Maryland. Ward participated in the Gettysburg Campaign, where he led mounted troops in reconnaissance and skirmish operations. He sustained a fatal wound during the Battle of Gettysburg and died shortly thereafter. Ward’s commitment to the Union cause and his pioneering use of cavalry tactics left a lasting impact on Civil War military operations.

Born in 1895, Handloser trained as a physician before joining the German military. He rose to the rank of Generalarzt and oversaw the medical services of the Wehrmacht. As Chief of Medical Services, he directed medical policy for German armed forces during World War II. Handloser was implicated in wartime atrocities and unethical human experimentation. After the war, he was tried at the Nuremberg Doctors' Trial and convicted of war crimes. He died in prison in 1954, leaving a controversial legacy in military medicine.

Andriyan Nikolayev was the third Soviet cosmonaut to orbit the Earth, launching aboard Vostok 3 in 1962. His 64-hour mission set a new space endurance record at the time. Later, in 1970, he commanded Soyuz 9, spending nearly 18 days in space and studying the effects of long-duration flight on the human body. A career military officer, he achieved the rank of major general in the Soviet Air Force. Nikolayev also served as a model and symbol of Soviet space achievements, participating in goodwill tours around the world. He authored memoirs and worked to mentor the next generation of cosmonauts. His contributions advanced human understanding of spaceflight endurance and physiology.

Nguyễn Hữu Có (1925-2012) was a high-ranking officer in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam and served in government roles during the Vietnam War. He influenced key military operations and national policy at a time of intense conflict. Known for his strategic insight, Có navigated the challenges of leadership in a country divided by war. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, he lived in exile before his death in 2012. His career reflects the complexities of military governance and the struggles of South Vietnam's final decade.