September 08

John de Vere was born in 1442 into one of England's oldest noble families. He fought in the Wars of the Roses, initially for the Lancastrians before shifting allegiance to the Yorkists. After Henry VII's victory, de Vere regained his family's titles and estates and served as a trusted royal counselor. He held the office of Lord Great Chamberlain for over two decades, overseeing court ceremonies and administration. His military leadership and political acumen helped stabilize the Tudor regime. He died in 1513, leaving a legacy of loyalty and service to the crown.

Louis II de Bourbon, known as the Grand Condé, was born in 1621 into the powerful Bourbon-Condé family. He distinguished himself as one of France's greatest military commanders during the Thirty Years' War. His decisive victory at the Battle of Rocroi in 1643 secured his reputation and marked the rise of French military power in Europe. Condé also played a central role in the internal conflicts of the Fronde, at times opposing the royal authority he served. Despite political turmoil, he remained a respected strategist and leader. Condé died in 1686, leaving a legacy as a symbol of martial prowess in the age of Louis XIV.

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was an American college professor turned soldier who gained fame for his leadership at the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. As colonel of the 20th Maine Regiment, he led a pivotal defense of Little Round Top, a maneuver that is credited with helping secure the Union victory. For his conspicuous bravery, he was awarded the Medal of Honor and eventually promoted to brigadier general. After the war, Chamberlain served four terms as Governor of Maine, where he advocated for veterans’ rights and educational reform. He later became president of Bowdoin College, his alma mater, guiding it through a period of growth and modernization. He authored several memoirs recounting his military experiences before his death in 1914. Chamberlain’s legacy endures as a model of courage, leadership, and public service.

Born in 1886, Siegfried Sassoon served as an officer in the British Army during World War I and earned a reputation for bravery on the Western Front. While hospitalized for shell shock, he began writing stark, honest poems criticizing the romanticism of war. His collections, including Counter-Attack and A Letter to My Friend, captured the brutal realities faced by soldiers. After the war, Sassoon wrote novels, memoirs, and autobiographical works reflecting on his experiences. He was both celebrated and controversial for his candid views on conflict and authority. Sassoon's literary legacy endures, influencing war poetry and modernist literature.

Born in 1921 in Ustaše-controlled Croatia, Dinko Šakić joined the fascist Ustaše movement and became commander of the Jasenovac concentration camp in 1943. Under his authority, the camp became notorious for mass executions, forced labor, and extreme cruelty toward inmates. After World War II, Šakić fled to Argentina and lived under his own name until his extradition in 1998. He stood trial in Croatia for crimes against humanity, was convicted, and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Šakić died in 2008 while serving his sentence, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most infamous war criminals of the 20th century.

Nguyễn Cao Kỳ began his career as a fighter pilot and rose to become commander of the South Vietnamese Air Force. He assumed the office of Prime Minister during the Vietnam War, advocating strong anti-communist policies. Later, he held the position of Vice President under President Thiệu and remained an influential political figure. Known for his charismatic yet controversial leadership style, he played a central role in Saigon's governance. After the fall of Saigon, Kỳ lived in exile and continued to speak on behalf of Vietnamese expatriate communities.

Roy Newman, born in 1936, is a retired English admiral of the Royal Navy. He began his naval career as a young officer and rose through the ranks to command multiple vessels. Newman contributed to strategic planning during the Cold War era and oversaw modernization of training programs. He served in senior staff positions within the Admiralty and advised on defense policy. After retirement, he continued to mentor naval officers and remained active in maritime heritage initiatives.

Nidal Hasan was born on September 8, 1970, in Arlington, Virginia. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1997 and served as an Army psychiatrist. On November 5, 2009, he opened fire at Fort Hood, Texas, killing 13 people and wounding over 30. The attack was motivated by extremist beliefs and led to a court-martial in 2013. Hasan was found guilty of 13 counts of premeditated murder and sentenced to death. His case prompted reviews of military screening procedures and policies on religious extremism.