July 16

Born in 1718, Howard inherited the title of Earl of Carlisle and pursued dual careers in the military and politics. He served as a commander in Germany during the Seven Years’ War and rose to the rank of Field Marshal. In Parliament, he represented Morpeth and later Carlisle, influencing military and colonial policy. Howard was also a noted patron of the arts and held the office of Lord Lieutenant of Cumberland. His leadership reflected the intertwined nature of 18th-century British aristocracy and military power.

Born in France in 1763, Louis Alexandre Andrault de Langeron emigrated to Russia after the outbreak of the French Revolution. He joined the Imperial Russian Army in 1797 and participated in the War of the Third Coalition, including the Battle of Austerlitz. He distinguished himself in the Finnish War and during the French invasion of Russia in 1812, eventually commanding a corps. Promoted to lieutenant general, he was appointed governor of Odessa, where he oversaw the city's defense and administration. De Langeron retired with honors in 1829 and died in 1831, remembered as a skilled strategist who bridged French and Russian military traditions.

Albert Kesselring was born in 1881 and served in the German Army during World War I, later transferring to the Luftwaffe. As a Field Marshal, he led German air operations in the Battle of Britain and commanded forces in North Africa. In 1943, he took charge of Axis defenses in Italy, orchestrating strategic retreats and delaying Allied advances. Postwar, he faced trial for war crimes but was released in 1952, later writing memoirs about his military career. Kesselring died in 1960, remembered as one of Germany's most skilled commanders of the air and ground war.

Born in the Netherlands in 1906, Meindert DeJong emigrated to the United States and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he became a prolific children's author, drawing on his immigrant experiences to create vivid stories. His books, including "The Wheel on the School" and "Shadrach," received Newbery honors for their warmth and realism. DeJong also taught creative writing and mentored aspiring authors. He passed away in 1991, leaving a lasting legacy in children's literature.

Born in 1921, Adolf von Thadden served as a lieutenant in the German army during World War II. After the conflict, he co-founded and led the National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD), advocating nationalist and conservative policies. Under his leadership, the party sparked controversy for its extremist views and denial of Nazi atrocities. Von Thadden was a polarizing figure in post-war German politics, known for his organizational skills and provocative speeches. He died in 1996, leaving a contentious political legacy.

Born in 1919, Charles Sweeney joined the U.S. Army Air Forces and trained as a bomber pilot during World War II. As a lieutenant colonel, he commanded the B-29 Superfortress Bockscar, which dropped the second atomic bomb over Nagasaki, Japan in 1945. Sweeney later achieved the rank of major general in the U.S. Air Force, serving in various command and staff positions during the Cold War. He authored memoirs recounting his wartime experiences and contributed to historical studies on strategic bombing. Renowned for his leadership skills and flying expertise, he passed away in 2004, leaving a complex legacy tied to one of history's most consequential missions.

Denis Avey was an English soldier and author renowned for his extraordinary efforts during World War II. Born in 1919 in London, he served with the Coldstream Guards before being captured in North Africa in 1942. While imprisoned in Stalag III-C, Avey exchanged uniforms with a Jewish inmate and risked his life to smuggle cigarettes into Auschwitz and witness the horrors firsthand. After the war, he worked as an engineer and later wrote his memoir "The Man Who Broke into Auschwitz" (2011), recounting his clandestine experiences and acts of solidarity. His bravery provided firsthand testimony of the Holocaust’s brutal realities. Denis Avey passed away on July 16, 2015, remembered for his courage and commitment to bearing witness.