July 10

Born in 1402, Humphrey Stafford inherited the title of Duke of Buckingham at a young age. He was appointed Lord High Constable of England and became one of the kingdom's leading military commanders. Stafford played a central role in the political affairs of the Lancastrian court, advising the king and managing key royal councils. He led royal forces during domestic conflicts and upheld the interests of the crown. His influence in both military and governmental spheres marked him as a powerful noble of his era. Stafford's death in 1460 ended a distinguished career in service to England.

William I of Orange was born in 1533 and inherited the title Prince of Orange, becoming one of the most powerful nobles in the Low Countries. He emerged as the driving force behind the Dutch revolt against Spanish Habsburg authority, uniting disparate provinces in a common cause. William combined political savvy with personal leadership on the battlefield, pioneering the early stages of the Eighty Years' War. His efforts laid the foundations for the Dutch Republic. He was assassinated in 1584, becoming a martyr and national hero of the Netherlands.

Born in 1571 to a noble family in France, Charles Bonaventure de Longueval pursued a distinguished military career in the early 17th century. He commanded troops in key engagements of his era, earning a reputation for strategic leadership and battlefield courage. His campaigns contributed to shaping the military landscape of Europe during a period of religious and political turmoil. Longueval's leadership blended traditional cavalry tactics with evolving infantry strategies. His life exemplifies the pivotal role of noble commanders in pre-modern European warfare. Despite limited personal records, his legacy endures in accounts of his military accomplishments.

Born in 1754 into a noble family, Gaspard de Bernard de Marigny embarked on a military career in pre-revolutionary France. He rose through the ranks to become a general, leading troops in pivotal conflicts on the eve of the French Revolution. Marigny was known for his steadfast leadership and tactical acumen under pressure. His service reflected the shifting loyalties and chaotic military landscape of late 18th-century France. Despite the upheavals of his time, he maintained a reputation for honor and dedication to his soldiers. His life underscores the challenges faced by military commanders during revolutionary transformations.

John 'Jacky' Fisher, 1st Baron Fisher (1841–1920) was a British admiral whose reforms transformed the Royal Navy into a modern fighting force. As First Sea Lord, he introduced the all-big-gun battleship concept, leading to the creation of HMS Dreadnought in 1906, which revolutionized naval warfare. Fisher advocated for technological innovation, emphasizing submarines, torpedoes, and wireless communication. His strategic vision and organizational skills strengthened Britain’s maritime supremacy in the early twentieth century. Though controversial at times, his legacy endures in naval doctrine and ship design.

Costas Georgiou, also known by his nom de guerre Colonel Callan, served as a mercenary commander for the FNLA during the Angolan Civil War. He gained infamy for ordering executions and torture of prisoners, drawing international condemnation. Born in Cyprus and raised in the United Kingdom, he sought adventure and profit in Africa’s conflicts. His brutal tactics and war crimes led to his arrest and conviction upon return to Britain. Georgiou was executed later that year, and his life remains a stark example of the darker aspects of private military operations.

Born in 1943, Florakis graduated from the Hellenic Army Academy and rose through the ranks with a reputation for strategic insight. He held key command positions within the Greek armed forces and was appointed Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff in the late 1990s. During his tenure, he oversaw modernization programs and strengthened Greece's cooperation with NATO. Florakis was respected for his leadership, professionalism, and dedication to national defense. He died in 2002 while still serving in the highest military office.

Shamil Basayev was a Chechen rebel commander born in 1965 who became a central figure in the First and Second Chechen Wars. He orchestrated multiple raids and terrorist attacks, including the Budyonnovsk hospital siege in 1995. Basayev's tactics and rhetoric made him one of Russia's most wanted men. He claimed responsibility for the Beslan school hostage crisis in 2004, resulting in tragic civilian casualties. His actions and death in 2006 remain controversial, reflecting the complex dynamics of the Chechen conflict.

Born in 1932 in Kansas, Engle graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1954. He served as an Air Force pilot before being selected for the X-15 program, setting altitude records. In 1966, he joined NASA's astronaut corps and flew the second Space Shuttle mission, STS-2, in 1981. He later commanded the STS-51-I flight in 1985, further demonstrating his piloting skill. After retiring from NASA and the Air Force, he continued to advise on astronaut training and flight operations.