September 17

Remistus rose through the ranks to become magister militum under Emperor Avitus. He led military campaigns in Gaul against various barbarian groups. In 456, he was besieged at Arles by the forces of Ricimer and forced to surrender. He was captured and executed, highlighting the internal power struggles of the late Western Roman Empire. Remistus is remembered for his loyalty to Avitus and his leadership during a period of decline in the empire.

Henry Manners was born in 1526 into the influential Manners family. He inherited the earldom in 1543 and became the 2nd Earl of Rutland. Manners led troops in various skirmishes along the Anglo-Scottish border. He took part in military expeditions under Henry VIII and Mary I. Known for his steadfast character, he managed estates and upheld Tudor authority. Manners died on September 17, 1563, leaving a legacy as a devoted military commander.

Pedro Menéndez de Avilés was born in 1519 in Asturias, Spain. He became a naval officer and earned the rank of admiral in the Spanish navy. In 1565, he led an expedition to Florida and established St. Augustine as a strategic colonial outpost. His settlement defended Spanish interests against French incursions in North America. Menéndez served as governor of Spanish Florida until his death. He is remembered for his adventurous spirit and skillful leadership at sea.

Born in 1629 as the illegitimate son of John of Austria, he was raised at the Spanish court. He pursued a military career and earned recognition as a general in several campaigns. Appointed Governor of the Habsburg Netherlands in 1675, he worked to strengthen Spanish authority in the region. He faced internal revolts and external threats from France and local nobles. Renowned for his diplomatic skill, he negotiated treaties and maintained relative peace until his death. His leadership influenced the political landscape of the Spanish Netherlands.

Born in 1740 in Apt, he entered military service in the Ancien Régime army. During the French Revolution, he rose rapidly through the ranks due to merit and necessity. He commanded forces in the Alps and along the Italian frontier, securing strategic mountain passes. D'Anselme led the Army of the Var during the Siege of Toulon in 1793. Despite mixed outcomes, he helped establish the organizational framework of the revolutionary armies. Surviving the Reign of Terror, he died in 1817 after a long military career.

Born in 1820 in Enfield, North Carolina, Lawrence O'Bryan Branch served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1855 to 1859. A trained lawyer, he remained active in politics during the secession crisis. When the Civil War began, he resigned his seat and joined the Confederate Army. Branch quickly rose to the rank of brigadier general, commanding a brigade in Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. He fought at major battles including Seven Pines and South Mountain. On September 17, 1862, he was mortally wounded while leading his men at Antietam. His leadership and bravery were noted by contemporaries, but his death cut short a promising career. Branch's legacy reflects the divided loyalties and tragedies of the Civil War era.

William Edmund Starke was born on April 22, 1814 in Baltimore, Maryland. He practiced law and engaged in business before the outbreak of the American Civil War. In 1861, Starke joined the Confederate Army and quickly rose to the rank of brigadier general. He led a brigade in key engagements such as the Seven Days Battles and the Battle of Fredericksburg. His command was commended for its discipline and effectiveness under fire. On September 17, 1862, Starke was mortally wounded at the Battle of Antietam while leading his troops in a counterattack. He died later that day, and his loss was mourned by fellow officers and soldiers. Starke's service exemplifies the officers who shaped early Confederate military efforts.

Roman Nose, born around 1834, was a war chief of the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers on the Great Plains. He earned a reputation for daring tactics and fearless leadership in battles against U.S. forces and rival tribes. Roman Nose was renowned for his striking war bonnet and the careful use of spiritual practices before combat. He fought in engagements such as the Red River War and other conflicts during the Plains Indian Wars. On September 17, 1868, he was killed in battle at the Battle of Beecher Island on the Arikaree River. His death was mourned by the Cheyenne and marked a turning point in Native American resistance. Roman Nose's legacy endures as a symbol of Indigenous bravery and resilience.

Deng Shichang was a distinguished captain in the Qing dynasty’s Beiyang Fleet. Born in 1849, he commanded the cruiser Jiyuan during the Battle of the Yellow Sea. On September 17, 1894, he refused to surrender despite heavy damage and went down with his ship. His bravery made him a symbol of patriotism in China and inspired later naval reforms. He remains honored in Chinese military history for his selfless leadership.

Thomas Etholen Selfridge was born in 1882 and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He became one of the earliest military aviators assigned to the Wright Brothers’ flight experimentation. On September 17, 1908, he died aboard Orville Wright’s aircraft at Fort Myer, Virginia. His tragic death marked the first fatality in powered flight and led to improved aviation safety. Selfridge’s service has been honored by naming Selfridge Air National Guard Base after him.

Friedrich Zickwolff was born in 1893 in Germany. He pursued a military career in the German army, rising through the ranks. He commanded divisions during World War II. He participated in key operations on various fronts. He was known for his leadership and organizational skills under fire. He met his end in 1943 amid the conflict. He is remembered as a noteworthy Wehrmacht commander.

Folke Bernadotte was born in 1895 in Sweden. He served as a Swedish Army officer and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1945, he negotiated the release of thousands of prisoners from Nazi concentration camps. He was appointed as the United Nations mediator for Palestine in 1948. He advocated for humanitarian relief and international cooperation. His assassination in Jerusalem shocked the world and cut short his promising career. He is remembered for his tireless efforts to protect human rights.