September 24

Ralph de Stafford was a trusted knight and adviser to King Edward III of England. He fought at key battles such as Crécy and witnessed the emergence of English longbow tactics. Created the 1st Earl of Stafford for his valor, he governed lands in Staffordshire and beyond. He negotiated treaties in France and helped secure English holdings during the war. His blend of martial skill and diplomacy made him one of the era’s standout commanders. His descendants continued his martial tradition, cementing the Stafford name in English history.

Shekha of Amarsar led the Shekhawat clan in the Aravalli foothills of Rajasthan. He fortified his stronghold and repelled invasions through skilled cavalry tactics. Under his leadership, Amarsar became a center of Rajput culture and martial training. He fostered temple construction and supported local artisans, leaving architectural marks. His alliances with nearby chieftains balanced power in northwestern India. Shekha’s descendants continued to influence regional politics and preserve his legacy.

Georg von Frundsberg organized and led the Landsknechte, renowned German mercenary infantry. He served Emperor Charles V during the Italian Wars, earning respect for discipline and valor. His reforms in drill and tactics influenced European warfare for decades. Despite his Lutheran beliefs, he remained loyal to the Catholic emperor’s cause. He retired to his estates but was recalled for military service late in life. Wounded at the Siege of Pavia, he died shortly after, cementing his legendary status.

Albrecht von Wallenstein rose to prominence by financing and leading vast Imperial armies. He served Emperor Ferdinand II, shaping the course of the Thirty Years’ War. His efficient recruitment and payment system revolutionized military logistics. Despite battlefield successes, court rivalries fueled suspicions about his ambitions. Dismissed and later reinstated, he was assassinated under imperial orders in 1634. Wallenstein’s career reflects the era’s complex interplay of war, politics, and finance.

Born in 1705 into Austrian nobility, Count Leopold Joseph von Daun became one of the 18th century’s most respected military commanders. As a field marshal in the Seven Years’ War, he achieved a landmark victory over Frederick the Great at Kolin in 1757. He favored meticulously planned operations over reckless assaults, pioneering early forms of defensive warfare. His reforms improved the discipline and organization of the Habsburg army. He remained a central figure in military strategy until his death in 1766.

Born in 1755 in Virginia, John Marshall served as a Continental Army officer during the American Revolution. After a distinguished legal career, he was appointed the fourth Chief Justice of the United States in 1801. He established the principle of judicial review with his landmark opinion in Marbury v. Madison. Marshall’s rulings strengthened the power of the Supreme Court and the federal government. He presided over the Court for 34 years, leaving a profound legacy on American constitutional law.

Richard Bong enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1941 and became the nation’s highest-scoring fighter ace in World War II, achieving 40 confirmed kills in the Pacific Theater while flying the Lockheed P-38 Lightning. Awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism, Bong was celebrated as an American hero. Tragically, he died in 1945 during a test flight of a P-80 jet prototype. His valor and skill remain legendary in military aviation history.

Born in El Paso, Texas, in 1969, Paul Ray Smith enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 3rd Infantry Division. During Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, Smith led his squad under heavy enemy fire near Baghdad and protected fellow soldiers from a large assault. Despite sustaining mortal wounds, he continued to organize defenses and evacuate wounded personnel. For his extraordinary bravery and self-sacrifice, Smith was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. His actions have become emblematic of courage and leadership in the face of overwhelming odds. Smith’s legacy continues to inspire service members and civilians alike.