July 18

Muhammad bin Qasim (695–715) was an Umayyad general best known for his conquest of Sindh and Multan in 711–712. Nephew of the powerful governor Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf, he led a disciplined army into the Indian subcontinent, capturing key cities like Debal and Multan. His campaign established Islamic rule in the region and opened trade routes between South Asia and the Middle East. Despite his early success, political rivalries at the Umayyad court led to his downfall and death in exile. His military achievements had a profound and lasting impact on the cultural and religious landscape of the region.

Zhu Wen (852–912), also known as Emperor Taizu of Later Liang, was a Tang dynasty general-turned-warlord who seized power and ended the Tang dynasty in 907. As the first ruler of Later Liang, he implemented reforms to strengthen central authority and reorganize the military. His rule was marked by ruthless elimination of rivals and harsh punishments for dissent. Zhu Wen’s establishment of a dynastic regime set the stage for a century of political fragmentation in northern China. He was assassinated by his own son, unknowingly sowing the seeds for the downfall of his dynasty.

Godfrey of Bouillon (c. 1060–1100) was a key figure in the First Crusade and one of its most respected commanders. After the capture of Jerusalem in 1099, he refused the title of king and instead took the title 'Advocate of the Holy Sepulchre.' His leadership secured Christian control of the city and established the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. Godfrey’s reputation for piety and chivalry made him a legendary figure in medieval Europe. He ruled Jerusalem until his death, setting a precedent for future crusader monarchs.

Guy of Lusignan (c. 1150–1194) was a knight who rose to prominence through his marriage to Queen Sibylla of Jerusalem. He succeeded his brother as King Consort in 1186 and defended the kingdom during the pivotal Battle of Hattin in 1187. Captured by Saladin’s forces, he was later released and participated in the Third Crusade. In 1192, Guy negotiated lordship over Cyprus, where he reestablished his rule until his death. His career reflects the tumultuous era of crusader politics and the shifting fortunes of the Latin East.

John de Braose (d. 1232) inherited the marcher lordships of Bramber in Sussex and Gower in South Wales. He navigated the challenges of frontier politics during the reigns of Kings John and Henry III, often clashing with Welsh princes. His family’s fortunes fluctuated when King John seized their lands in 1208, only for John to regain his heritage under Henry III. He fortified his castles and managed his estates to secure his legacy in the Welsh Marches. John’s life exemplifies the volatile nature of Anglo-Welsh relations in the early 13th century.

Born in 1604, Bernard of Saxe-Weimar emerged as a leading Protestant commander during the Thirty Years' War. He first served under Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden before accepting French support to continue the fight against the Habsburgs. Bernard achieved significant victories at Breisach and Rheinfelden, bolstering the Protestant cause in Western Europe. His innovative tactics and charismatic leadership earned him respect among allies and enemies alike. He died in 1639 during the siege of Thionville, leaving a legacy as one of the war's most skilled and influential military figures.

Robert Levinz, born in 1615, was a dedicated supporter of King Charles I during the English Civil War. He undertook secret missions to relay intelligence and messages for the Royalist cause. Captured by Parliamentary forces, he was tried and hanged in London in 1650 on charges of espionage. His execution highlights the perilous nature of loyalty and intrigue in a nation divided by war. Levinz's story illustrates the high stakes faced by those involved in clandestine wartime activities and the severe reprisals meted out by opposing factions.

François de Neufville, duc de Villeroy, was born into a prominent noble family in 1644. He began his career at the royal court before rising through the military ranks to become a lieutenant general. Villeroy commanded troops during the Franco-Dutch War and the Nine Years' War, experiencing both victories and setbacks. He held posts such as governor of Provence and maintained close ties to Louis XIV throughout his life. He died in 1730, remembered for his long service as a devoted military leader of the Sun King’s armies.

Born in Scotland in 1747, John Paul Jones began his maritime career as a merchant sailor before joining the American Revolution. He commanded the Bonhomme Richard and achieved a famous victory over HMS Serapis, rallying his crew with the words, "I have not yet begun to fight!" His daring tactics made him a symbol of American naval audacity during the War of Independence. After the war, Jones sought service abroad and was commissioned an admiral in the Imperial Russian Navy under Catherine the Great. He died in Paris in 1792, honored as a naval pioneer whose legacy endures in the traditions of the U.S. Navy.

Born into an abolitionist family in 1837, Robert Gould Shaw graduated from Harvard before volunteering for the Union Army in 1861. In 1863, he was appointed colonel of the 54th Massachusetts, one of the first officially sanctioned African American units in the U.S. Army. He led his men with courage during the assault on Fort Wagner, where he was killed in action, becoming a martyr for the cause of equality. Shaw’s leadership and sacrifice galvanized support for Black soldiers and advanced the Union war effort. He is commemorated by the Shaw Memorial in Boston and depicted in the film Glory, underscoring his lasting legacy.

Francisco Javier Arana was a Guatemalan military officer born in 1905 who rose to prominence following the 1944 revolution that overthrew dictator Jorge Ubico. As president of the Revolutionary Government Junta, he held significant sway over Guatemala’s post-revolutionary politics. Arana’s tense relationship with President Juan José Arévalo culminated in his assassination during a 1949 power struggle. His death triggered further instability but also solidified the revolutionary reforms underway. Known for his charismatic leadership and commitment to military professionalism, Arana remains a controversial figure in Guatemalan history. His brief tenure as head of state left lasting impacts on the nation’s governance and reform agendas.

William C. Westmoreland was born in 1914 and graduated from West Point in 1936 before serving in World War II and Korea. He was appointed commander of U.S. military operations in Vietnam, overseeing major campaigns and troop deployments. His tenure included significant events such as the Tet Offensive and debates over troop strategy. After Vietnam, Westmoreland served as Army Chief of Staff and later led the American Battle Monuments Commission. He died in 2005, leaving a complex legacy shaped by one of America’s most controversial conflicts.