July 29

Born in Scotland in 1763, Philip Charles Durham joined the Royal Navy at a young age and rose through the ranks during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. He commanded multiple warships with distinction and was recognized for his tactical leadership. After retiring from active service, Durham transitioned to politics and represented Queenborough in Parliament. His naval expertise informed his political contributions and he advocated for maritime interests. He died in 1845, remembered for his service at sea and in government.

Sir Neil Methuen Ritchie (1897–1983) was a Guyanese-English career soldier who served as a senior British Army officer during World War II. Commissioned before World War I, he rose through the ranks to command the Eighth Army in North Africa in 1941, succeeding General Wavell. His tenure saw challenges against Rommel’s Afrika Korps and strategic withdrawals that tested Allied resources. Ritchie later held significant posts, including Director of Infantry and command roles in the UK and Southeast Asia. Knighted for his service, he contributed to military training and doctrine in the postwar period. His leadership during critical North African campaigns remains studied in military history.

Erich Priebke (1913-2013) was a German SS officer involved in World War II atrocities. He helped plan and execute the Ardeatine massacre, where 335 Italian civilians were killed in retaliation for a partisan attack. After the war, Priebke escaped to Argentina and lived under an assumed identity for decades. He was discovered in 1994, extradited to Italy, and sentenced to life imprisonment. His trial reopened wounds in Italy and sparked debates on justice and accountability. Priebke remained unrepentant until his death, serving as a stark reminder of the Holocaust's enduring legacy.

Bruce R. McConkie was born in 1915 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He served as a colonel in the United States Army during World War II before being called as an apostle in 1947. He became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and devoted his life to church leadership and teaching. McConkie authored influential works on church doctrine, including the best-selling manual 'Mormon Doctrine'. He traveled worldwide as a missionary and speaker, shaping modern LDS theology. His conservative views and prolific writings left a lasting impact on the faith. McConkie passed away in 1985, leaving a significant legacy within his religious community.

Rochus Misch was born in 1917 in Alt-Schalkowitz, Upper Silesia (now in Poland). He joined the Waffen-SS in 1936 and was assigned to the Führer’s personal bodyguard unit in 1939. Misch became Hitler’s primary telephone operator and bodyguard, witnessing the final days of the Third Reich in the Berlin bunker. After World War II, he was held as a prisoner of war by the British. He later settled in West Germany and published memoirs recounting his experiences. Misch was the last surviving member of Hitler’s inner circle until his death in 2013. His firsthand accounts have been used by historians to shed light on the final moments of Nazi Germany. He remains a controversial figure due to his role in the war.