August 18

François de Chasseloup-Laubat graduated from the artillery school at La Fère and excelled in military engineering. He served in the armies of Louis XVI and the Revolutionary government, designing fortresses and field defenses. Chasseloup-Laubat introduced innovative methods in earthwork fortifications and siegecraft. His treatise on fortification became a standard reference for European armies. Elevated to Marshal of France, his work influenced military engineering doctrines well into the 19th century.

Born in Virginia, Lewis joined the militia during the Northwest Indian War and later served under George Rogers Clark. In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson selected him to lead the Corps of Discovery expedition with William Clark. The journey mapped thousands of miles of uncharted territory, documented new species, and established relations with Native tribes. Lewis's meticulous journals provided valuable scientific, geographic, and ethnographic insights into the American West. After the expedition, he became governor of the Louisiana Territory, though his later years ended in tragedy.

Isaac Peckham Rodman was born in 1822 in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. He pursued a career in business before entering politics, serving two terms in the Rhode Island General Assembly. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he organized the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry and became its colonel in 1861. Promoted to brigadier general in 1862, he led his brigade during the Peninsula Campaign and at the Battle of Antietam. There, he was mortally wounded while rallying his troops against heavy Confederate fire. His bravery and leadership earned him high respect, and he died on September 17, 1862. Rodman’s sacrifice remains commemorated in Rhode Island’s military history.

William Halford was born in 1841 on the Isle of Man and later emigrated to the United States. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Saginaw during its deployment in the Pacific. When the Saginaw was wrecked on Kure Atoll in 1870, Halford volunteered to navigate a small boat over 1,500 miles to Honolulu to seek rescue. His successful 31-day journey secured assistance for his stranded shipmates. For his extraordinary courage and seamanship, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Halford continued his naval career with distinction and retired as a lieutenant. He passed away in 1919, remembered for one of the most daring open-boat voyages in naval history.

Lavr Georgievich Kornilov was born in 1870 and rose through the ranks of the Imperial Russian Army. He distinguished himself in the Russo-Japanese War and commanded corps on the Eastern Front during World War I. In 1917, he led the controversial 'Kornilov Affair' aimed at restoring order in Petrograd. After the coup failed, he joined the White movement in the Russian Civil War. Kornilov traveled extensively in Central Asia and is remembered for his bold leadership and military prowess until his death in 1918.

Born in 1879 into a noble Russian family, Alexander Ivanovich Rodzyanko began his career in the cavalry and saw action on the Eastern Front during World War I. After the Bolshevik Revolution, he joined the White movement and commanded forces in southern Russia and Ukraine. Following the defeat of the Whites, he emigrated and eventually settled in New York City, where he wrote memoirs of the turbulent civil war period. Rodzyanko's accounts provide valuable insights into the White Army's struggles and leadership. He died in 1970, leaving behind a legacy of military distinction and historical testimony.

Robert Winters served with distinction as a Canadian Army colonel during World War II before transitioning to a career in civil engineering. Elected to Parliament in 1945, he held the portfolio of Minister of Public Works under Prime Minister John Diefenbaker from 1957 to 1963, overseeing major infrastructure projects across Canada. Winters advocated for modernizing public facilities and transportation networks. After leaving politics, he worked as a consultant and continued to influence national development policies. His leadership bridged military service, engineering expertise, and public administration.

Otto Ernst Remer rose to command the Großdeutschland Division on the Eastern Front during World War II, earning a reputation for disciplined leadership. On July 20, 1944, he played a decisive role in thwarting the assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler by securing Berlin for the Nazi regime. After the war, Remer became involved in far-right political movements and faced legal action for neo-Nazi activities. His military career remains controversial due to his post-war extremist engagement. Remer died in 1997, leaving a complex legacy as both decorated officer and polarizing figure.

Lucy Ozarin served as a Navy psychiatrist during World War II, providing crucial mental health support to service members. She was one of the first female officers in the Navy Medical Corps, breaking gender barriers in military medicine. After the war, she continued her career at the Veterans Administration, advocating for improved psychiatric care for veterans. Ozarin also contributed to psychiatric research and held leadership roles in professional medical associations. Living to the age of 103, she remained an active voice for mental health awareness until her passing in 2017.

Lydia Vladimirovna Litvyak (born August 18, 1921, in Moscow) joined the Soviet Air Force in 1941 and was one of the few women to fly combat missions during World War II. Flying the Yakovlev Yak-1 fighter, she achieved 12 solo aerial victories, making her the top scoring female ace of the conflict. Nicknamed the "White Rose of Stalingrad," Litvyak displayed exceptional courage in the skies over the Eastern Front. She was awarded the Order of Lenin and other military honors for her combat achievements. Litvyak was killed in action in August 1943, and her remains were finally discovered and identified in 1979. Her legacy endures as an inspiration to aviators and women in military service.

Roberto Clemente was a legendary Major League Baseball right fielder who spent his entire 18-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was the first Latin American player to record 3,000 career hits and was a 15-time All-Star and 12-time Gold Glove Award winner. Clemente led the Pirates to two World Series championships and was named World Series MVP in 1971. Off the field, he was dedicated to humanitarian efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean, often delivering aid to those in need. Tragically, Clemente died in a plane crash while en route to deliver relief to earthquake victims in Nicaragua, cementing his legacy as both an athlete and a humanitarian icon.

Born in 1945 to the decorated Marine Corps officer Lewis Puller Sr., Puller Jr. served in the Vietnam War where he suffered severe injuries resulting in the loss of multiple limbs. After his recovery, he earned a law degree and dedicated himself to advocating for veterans’ rights. In 1980, he published the memoir “Fortunate Son,” detailing his wartime experiences and rehabilitation. The book received critical acclaim and spurred greater awareness of veterans’ needs. Puller’s testimony before Congress led to improvements in medical care for injured service members. He passed away in 1994, remembered for his resilience and commitment to others.