July 07

Edward Burd Grubb Jr. (1841–1913) served as a Union Army general during the American Civil War.\nHe rose to the rank of Brigadier General, commanding brigades in key engagements.\nAfter the war, Grubb pursued a diplomatic career and was appointed United States Ambassador to Spain from 1889 to 1892.\nHis tenure in Europe involved navigating post–Civil War American foreign policy and growing international relations.\nA graduate of West Point, he also engaged in business and civic affairs upon his return.\nGrubb’s dual legacy as soldier and diplomat reflects 19th-century American ambition and service.

Friedrich August Freiherr von der Heydte was a German military officer born in 1907. He served as a paratroop commander in the Luftwaffe during World War II and led Kampfgruppe Heydte in battles such as Monte Cassino. After the war, he was detained by Allied forces before joining the West German Bundeswehr in the 1950s, rising to the rank of Lieutenant General. Von der Heydte also lectured on international law and military strategy at universities. His career reflected both combat leadership and contributions to postwar military training. He died in 1994, leaving a complex legacy in German military history.

Captain Vikram Batra was an Indian Army officer born in 1974 who became a national hero during the 1999 Kargil War. He led a daring assault to recapture strategic Point 5140 under heavy enemy fire, famously signaling 'Yeh Dil Maange More!' after victory. Batra then commanded his troops in the successful defense and capture of Point 4875, where he was fatally wounded. His fearless leadership and sacrifice exemplified the highest standards of military bravery. Posthumously decorated with India's highest wartime gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra, Batra's story continues to inspire generations of soldiers and citizens.

Eduard Shevardnadze was a Georgian politician and diplomat whose career spanned Soviet and post-Soviet eras. Born in 1928, he rose through the Communist Party to become Soviet Foreign Minister in 1985, where he worked alongside Mikhail Gorbachev on glasnost and perestroika policies. After Georgia declared independence, Shevardnadze returned home, serving as head of state and becoming the second President of Georgia from 1995 to 2003. His tenure focused on stabilizing the economy and navigating the challenges of post-Soviet governance. A former military officer, Shevardnadze combined diplomatic skill with domestic reforms. He resigned in 2003 amid popular protests, known as the Rose Revolution. Shevardnadze passed away in 2014, remembered for his pivotal role in modern Georgian history.