July 16

Denis Edward Arnold was born in England on July 16, 1918. During World War II, he served as an officer in the British Army and demonstrated leadership in multiple theaters, including North Africa and Italy. After the war, he continued his career with the Army of the Rhine and contributed to training and organizational efforts. Arnold achieved the rank of Major before retiring and remained active in veterans’ affairs. He passed away in 2015 at the age of 96, remembered for his steadfast dedication.

Born on July 16, 1918, Paul Farnes joined the Royal Air Force in 1936 and was posted to No. 17 Squadron. During the 1940 Battle of Britain, he flew Hawker Hurricanes and was credited with multiple aerial victories. His bravery earned him the Distinguished Flying Medal. After combat, he served as an instructor and in ferry command, delivering new aircraft across allied fronts. In later years, Farnes became a popular speaker at air shows and veteran events. He died in 2020 at the age of 101, honored as one of the last surviving Battle of Britain pilots.

Hermine Braunsteiner was born on July 16, 1919, in Vienna and joined the Nazi SS in 1939. She served as a guard at the Majdanek extermination camp, where she participated in prisoner selection and camp operations. After the war, she escaped to the United States but was later denaturalized and extradited to West Germany. In 1981, Braunsteiner was convicted of accessory to murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. She died in prison in 1999, becoming one of the few female SS personnel held accountable for concentration camp atrocities.

Frank Jobe served as a U.S. Army sergeant before becoming an orthopedic surgeon. In 1974, he performed the first ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction—later known as Tommy John surgery—revolutionizing sports medicine and saving countless athletes’ careers. Jobe’s innovative techniques and dedication to patient care set new standards in orthopedic surgery. He authored numerous papers and trained generations of surgeons in his pioneering methods. His work continues to impact athletes and surgeons worldwide.

Carl Epting Mundy Jr. (1935–2014) dedicated over four decades to the U.S. Marine Corps, rising from lieutenant to four-star general. He held command roles in Vietnam and various staff positions before being named Commandant of the Marine Corps. During his leadership, he implemented training reforms and strengthened the Corps’ expeditionary capabilities. Mundy championed readiness and modernization, guiding the Marines through strategic challenges at the turn of the century. After retiring, he continued to advise on defense and security matters, sharing his expertise with military and civilian leaders. He passed away in 2014, remembered for his unwavering commitment to service and leadership.

Born in Northern Ireland, Bryan Budd enlisted in the British Army's Parachute Regiment and rose to the rank of lance corporal. In 2006, during an operation in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, he led a daring assault against Taliban positions. Despite being wounded, he continued to advance, drawing enemy fire away from his men before succumbing to his injuries. For his ultimate sacrifice and leadership under fire, Budd was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the UK's highest military honor. He is remembered as a courageous and selfless soldier who inspired his comrades with his determination and valor.