August 20

John H. Michaelis was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1912 and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served with distinction during World War II, commanding infantry units in the European theater. In the postwar years, he led the 4th Infantry Division and played a major role in U.S. military operations in Korea and Vietnam. Renowned for his strategic insight and leadership under fire, Michaelis received numerous decorations. He retired as a four-star general and continued to advise military institutions until his death in 1985. His legacy endures as a model of dedication and service in the U.S. Army.

Born in 1938 in La Rochelle, Jean-Loup Chrétien graduated from the French Air Force Academy and became a test pilot. In 1982, he joined the Soviet Interkosmos program and flew aboard Soyuz T-6, becoming the first French national in space. During his mission, he conducted experiments on the Salyut 7 space station, advancing life sciences and material studies. He returned to space in 1988 on Soyuz TM-7, furthering international cooperation in human spaceflight. Chrétien logged over four days of spaceflight and received numerous awards from France and Russia. After retiring from the military, he served as an advisor for European space initiatives and inspired future generations of astronauts.

Desmond Swayne began his career as an officer in the Grenadier Guards of the British Army before transitioning to politics as a member of the Conservative Party. He was elected Member of Parliament for New Forest West in 1997, a seat he has held ever since. Throughout his parliamentary career, Swayne has been known for his strong constituency work and Eurosceptic views. In 2016, he was appointed Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, acting as a liaison between the government and the Royal Family. He has served on key parliamentary committees, focusing on defense and environmental issues. Outside politics, Swayne has authored writings on Anglo-Catholicism and remains active in his local community.