September 05

Born into the powerful Date clan, Masamune lost sight in his right eye due to smallpox, earning him the nickname the One-Eyed Dragon. He unified the Tohoku region under his rule and established the city of Sendai in 1600. A patron of arts and foreign trade, he sent Hasekura Tsunenaga on a diplomatic mission to Rome in 1613. Masamune built iconic fortifications such as Aoba Castle and commissioned temples that blend Japanese and Western styles. Loyal to the Tokugawa shogunate, he maintained his domain's autonomy and prosperity. His legacy endures in Sendai's festivals and the lasting influence of his governance and cultural vision.

Born in Plymouth in 1769, Shortland joined the Royal Navy at a young age. He served during the American Revolutionary War before being posted to Australia. In 1797 he led an expedition that discovered and charted the Hunter River. His report on coal deposits helped establish Newcastle as a vital settlement. Appointed naval officer at Port Jackson, he managed convict transports and local defenses. Shortland continued his service in the West Indies before dying at sea in 1810. His explorations significantly impacted early Australian colonial history.

Born in Vienna in 1771 as a member of the Habsburg dynasty. He became one of Austria’s greatest field marshals, modernizing its army structure. Charles led forces to a landmark victory at the Battle of Aspern-Essling in 1809. He served as governor of the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia after the Napoleonic Wars. An astute writer on strategy, his treatises influenced European military thought. He was granted the title Duke of Teschen and retired in 1824. Archduke Charles died in 1847, leaving a legacy of innovation in military affairs.

Born in 1775 in Castrillo de Duero, he earned the nickname 'El Empecinado'. Díez organized and led guerrilla forces against French troops during the Peninsular War. His daring raids disrupted enemy supply lines and inspired Spanish popular resistance. Promoted to general, he negotiated with allied commanders and coordinated major campaigns. After the war, he aligned with liberal movements opposing King Ferdinand VII. Arrested for his political views, he was executed in 1825. Today, he is remembered as a national hero of Spain’s fight for independence.

Born in Nantes in 1806, Christophe de Lamoricière embarked on a military career at Saint-Cyr. He distinguished himself in the conquest of Algeria, earning a reputation for leadership and bravery. Following the 1848 Revolution, he was appointed Minister of War under President Louis-Eugène Cavaignac. As a politician, he navigated the complex landscape of the Second Republic, balancing republican ideals with military order. Opposed to Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte's rise, he was briefly exiled after the 1851 coup d'état. Returning later to France, he remained a respected figure until his death in 1865.

Born in Lima in 1836, Justiniano Borgoño embarked on a military career, rising through the ranks. He fought in the War of the Pacific, earning recognition for his leadership and tactical skills. In 1896, he assumed the presidency as an interim leader following political upheaval. Borgoño's term focused on stabilizing the government and preparing for fair elections. After handing power to a democratically elected successor, he continued to serve in public roles. He died in 1921, remembered for his commitment to Peru's institutional development.

Cornelius Vanderbilt III (September 5, 1873 – March 1, 1942) was an American brigadier general and engineer. A grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War I. Vanderbilt commanded troops in France and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. An engineer by training, he applied his skills to various philanthropic and family enterprises. He balanced military service with social leadership in New York high society. His life bridged the worlds of American aristocracy, industry, and the battlefield.

Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb (September 5, 1876 – October 29, 1956) was a senior German field marshal. He served in both World Wars and played leading roles in the invasions of France and the Soviet Union. As commander of Army Group C, he oversaw operations on the Western Front against France in 1940. In 1941, he led Army Group North during Operation Barbarossa, reaching the outskirts of Leningrad. Leeb was later tried for war crimes but was not convicted, retiring honorably to Bavaria. His career reflects the evolution of German military leadership in the early 20th century.

Born in 1881, Henry Maitland Wilson entered the British Army and served with distinction in WWI. He rose through the ranks to become a senior staff officer by the outbreak of WWII. As Commander-in-Chief Middle East, he led operations in Palestine and Syria. He later served as Supreme Allied Commander Mediterranean, overseeing campaigns in North Africa and Italy. In 1947, he was promoted to Field Marshal and represented Britain at the United Nations. Wilson retired in 1948 and was elevated to the peerage as the 1st Baron Wilson, dying in 1964.

Born in 1905, Maurice Challe entered the French Air Force academy and served with distinction in World War II. He rose to become Chief of Staff of the French Air Force in the late 1950s. Challe devised and commanded Operation Challe, a major counter-insurgency campaign in Algeria that temporarily stabilized the conflict. His leadership style emphasized mobility, intelligence gathering, and coordinated air-ground operations. After Algeria, he held high command positions within NATO and the French military. Challe retired in 1961 and remained a respected military strategist until his death in 1979.

Elisabeth Volkenrath (1919–1945) was a German SS Oberaufseherin (senior overseer) in Nazi concentration camps. She served at Ravensbrück, Auschwitz-Birkenau, and Bergen-Belsen, overseeing prisoner labor and selection. Known for her ruthless treatment of inmates, she participated in selections for the gas chambers. After liberation, she was arrested and tried by a British military tribunal for war crimes at Bergen-Belsen. Volkenrath was convicted and sentenced to death, being executed in December 1945. Her case remains a stark example of the brutality of the SS camp system.

David John Hamer (1923–2002) was an Australian naval captain and federal politician. He served in the Royal Australian Navy during World War II and later achieved the rank of captain in the Naval Reserve. Hamer was elected to the House of Representatives for the seat of Isaacs in 1966 and later served as a Senator for Victoria. As a member of the Liberal Party, he held positions on key parliamentary committees, including defense and foreign affairs. Known for his advocacy of maritime strategy and cultural heritage, he championed the preservation of Australian naval history. After retiring from politics, Hamer traveled extensively and wrote on defense policy and history.