August 20

Constantine Lips served as droungarios of the Byzantine fleet under Emperor Leo VI, commanding key naval forces. He played a prominent military role, overseeing maritime defenses and securing sea lanes. In 913, he joined a failed coup against the regency of Empress Zoe Karbonopsina. After the rebellion was suppressed, he faced exile but later regained imperial favor. He died in 917, remembered for both his naval expertise and political ambition.

Little is known about Bo Jonsson's early life, but by the mid-14th century he had emerged as the Royal Marshal of Sweden, holding the realm's highest military office. In this capacity, he oversaw defense and military organization, advising monarchs on strategic matters. Over decades of service, Bo Jonsson acquired extensive lands in Sweden, Finland, and Gotland, becoming one of the Baltic region's largest landowners. His wealth and courtly connections gave him extraordinary political influence, effectively making him a power broker in the kingdom. He held senior positions on the royal council and was instrumental in negotiating alliances and settling internal disputes. His death in 1386 triggered protracted conflicts over his inheritance, weakening royal authority and contributing to the eventual formation of the Kalmar Union. Bo Jonsson's career exemplifies the complex interplay between nobility and monarchy in medieval Scandinavia.

Born into a Franconian noble family in 1473, Georg von Frundsberg rose to prominence as the leader of the Landsknechts, German mercenary infantry admired for their discipline and fighting prowess. He fought in the Italian Wars under Emperor Maximilian I and later Charles V, distinguishing himself at battles such as Padua and Ravenna. Frundsberg was known for his strict organization of troops, innovative use of pike formations, and the fierce loyalty he inspired among his soldiers. Beyond his military career, he managed extensive estates in Swabia, solidifying his status as a prominent landowner. His writings on military strategy influenced contemporary and future commanders. Frundsberg’s blend of medieval knightly ideals and early modern tactics marked a turning point in European military history. He died in Munich in 1528, leaving a legacy as a pioneering military figure. His contributions endured in the tactics and traditions of the Landsknechts.

Born into an aristocratic English family in 1583, Edward Herbert began his career as a military officer under King James I. He earned distinction on the battlefield and later transitioned to diplomacy, representing the crown in negotiations across Europe. Herbert's missions included high-stakes talks in Paris and Madrid, where he forged alliances and treaties vital to English interests. In recognition of his service, he was elevated to the peerage as Baron Herbert of Cherbury in 1624. Herbert balanced his roles at court with managing his estates in Montgomeryshire. His combined skills in warfare and negotiation made him a respected figure among his contemporaries. He retired from public life in the 1630s amid rising political tensions. Herbert died in 1648, remembered for his contributions to England's military and diplomatic history.

Born in 1612 into the powerful Wiśniowiecki family, Jeremi inherited extensive estates in Ruthenia and Ukraine. He led private armies against Cossack rebels during the Khmelnytsky Uprising, earning the nickname 'Hammer of the Cossacks.' His leadership secured strategic border towns and protected Commonwealth territories from invasion. Wiśniowiecki also held seats in the Senate and influenced royal elections, playing a key role in national politics. He patronized the construction of churches and fortresses, leaving architectural landmarks across his lands. His life and exploits inspired later works in Polish literature and historiography. Jeremi's blend of military prowess and political acumen exemplified the magnate ideal of the era. He died in 1651, remembered as one of the last great Ruthenian magnates of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Born in 1753, Waldegrave pursued a naval career that saw him serve in the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary Wars. He rose to Admiral of the Blue, earning honors for his command in key sea battles. In 1810, he was appointed Governor of Newfoundland, where he strengthened defenses and promoted economic growth. He also sat in Parliament, influencing naval policy and colonial administration. His dual roles illustrate the close ties between military service and governance in early 19th-century Britain. He died in 1825, remembered for his courage and dedication to public service.

István Horthy was a Hungarian nobleman, naval officer, and pilot, born in 1904 as the eldest son of Regent Miklós Horthy. He pursued a military career, achieving the rank of admiral in the Hungarian Navy and earning recognition as an accomplished aviator. In 1942, he was appointed Deputy Regent of Hungary, positioning him as his father’s political successor. Horthy advocated for moderate policies and sought to balance military and civilian interests during World War II. Tragically, on 20 August 1942, he died in a plane crash while on an inspection flight, cutting short his promising career. His death had significant political repercussions, altering Hungary’s wartime leadership dynamics. Horthy is remembered for his service, integrity, and efforts to guide Hungary during a turbulent period.

İzzettin Çalışlar was a prominent Turkish military officer, born in 1882 during the late Ottoman era. He graduated from the Ottoman Military Academy and rose through the ranks, serving in World War I. During the Turkish War of Independence, Çalışlar commanded forces in pivotal battles that secured Turkey’s sovereignty. He later held senior leadership roles within the Turkish Army, contributing to the republic’s military organization. Known for his strategic acumen and dedication to national defense, he helped shape the new Turkish military establishment. Çalışlar received numerous honors for his service and remained an influential figure in military circles. He passed away on 20 August 1951, remembered as a founding leader of modern Turkey’s armed forces.

Rashid Minhas (February 17, 1951 – August 20, 1971) was a lieutenant in the Pakistan Air Force. On his first solo training flight, his instructor attempted to defect by hijacking the aircraft. Minhas fought to regain control, forcing the plane to crash and sacrificing his life in the process. He became the youngest and only PAF officer to receive the Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistan’s highest gallantry award. His heroism remains a symbol of duty and loyalty in Pakistan’s military history.

Wilhelm Meendsen-Bohlken (July 1, 1897 – August 20, 1985) was a senior officer in Germany's naval forces through two world wars. He began his career in the Imperial German Navy during World War I and continued service in the Reichsmarine and later the Kriegsmarine. Rising to the rank of admiral, he commanded various destroyer flotillas and naval training establishments. After World War II, he contributed to naval research and historical studies. His decades-long career reflected the evolution of German maritime strategy in the 20th century.

Born in 1909, Bradbury earned his Ph.D. in physics and joined the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos in 1943. He played a key role in the development of the first atomic weapons as a research scientist. After World War II, he became director of Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1945 and led it for 25 years. Under his guidance, the laboratory expanded into peacetime research in nuclear energy and basic science. Bradbury also served as a U.S. Army officer, retiring as a brigadier general in the reserves. He remained committed to education and mentorship until his death in 1997, shaping future generations of scientists.

Bryan Budd (1977-2006) was a Northern Ireland-born English soldier in the British Army's Parachute Regiment. During a 2006 engagement in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to rescue wounded comrades and led counterattacks despite severe personal risk. His leadership and courage under fire saved many lives, and he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest military decoration. Budd's actions exemplify selfless service and remain a powerful example of battlefield heroism.