July 07

Guillaume Philibert Duhesme was born in Mont-d'Origny, France in 1766. He rose through the ranks of the French army during the Revolutionary era. Duhesme fought at key battles such as Marengo and later commanded forces in the Peninsular War. In 1808, he led an expeditionary corps into Catalonia, earning both praise and criticism for his tactics. He achieved the rank of General of Division before his death in 1815. His career exemplifies the challenges and ambitions of Napoleonic military leadership.

Tadamichi Kuribayashi was born in 1891 in Yamaguchi Prefecture and graduated from the Imperial Japanese Army Academy and War College. He served in various staff and command roles in China and Siberia, earning a reputation for strategic insight. In 1944, he was appointed commander of the Iwo Jima garrison, where he implemented defensive tactics that inflicted heavy casualties on U.S. forces. Beyond his military career, Kuribayashi was also a haiku and tanka poet, reflecting on war, nature, and mortality. He opposed suicidal banzai charges, prioritizing the lives of his men through disciplined defense. Kuribayashi was killed in action on March 26, 1945, and is remembered for his leadership, tactical skill, and humanistic approach to warfare.

Born in New York in 1900, Earle E. Partridge graduated from West Point and joined the U.S. Army Air Service. During World War II, he held key leadership roles in the European Theater of Operations. He commanded air forces in critical campaigns including Normandy and the advance into Germany. In the early Cold War, he helped shape U.S. air power strategy in Europe. Partridge oversaw the integration of jet aircraft into the Air Force during a time of rapid technological change. He retired as a lieutenant general after a distinguished military career.

Fidel Sánchez Hernández was a Salvadoran military leader who rose through the ranks to become president in 1967. His administration prioritized agricultural development and infrastructure projects during a period of social and political tension. He navigated Cold War dynamics by securing foreign aid and military assistance from international allies. Sánchez Hernández balanced modernization efforts with efforts to maintain stability in a country marked by unrest. After leaving office in 1972, he continued to influence military policy and remained a respected figure within the armed forces. His presidency left a mixed legacy of development and debate over civil liberties.

Adolf von Thadden was a German military officer who served as a lieutenant in the Wehrmacht during World War II before entering politics. In 1964, he co-founded and became chairman of the National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD), advocating nationalist and far-right policies. Under his leadership, the NPD gained attention for its controversial stance on German identity and Cold War politics. Von Thadden's tenure highlighted the challenges of extremist movements in postwar Germany. His political career remained contentious until his death in 1996, reflecting the country’s ongoing struggles with its recent history and democratic values.

James D. Hughes had a distinguished career in the United States Air Force, serving in both command and staff capacities. Over his tenure, he oversaw operational units and contributed to strategic planning efforts. General Hughes was recognized for his leadership skills, strategic insight, and dedication to mentoring junior officers. He played a role in modernizing training protocols and strengthening airpower readiness. His guidance influenced key decisions in defense policy and joint service cooperation. Throughout his career, he earned numerous commendations for his service and professionalism. Hughes's contributions left a lasting impact on the Air Force's operational excellence.

Kevin A. Ford was born on July 7, 1960 in Portland, Indiana. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in aeronautical engineering and later earned a master's in aeronautics. After completing pilot and test pilot training, he flew F-15 jets for the Air Force. Selected by NASA in 2000, Ford served as the pilot of Space Shuttle mission STS-128 in 2009. During that flight, he delivered supplies and experiments to the International Space Station and contributed over 12 days in orbit. He later supported ISS Expedition 33/34 as a flight engineer and took command of the station. Ford has logged over 300 hours in space and returned to the Air Force to oversee astronaut training and operations.