October 03

Born Henri-Alban Fournier in 1886, he adopted the pen name Alain-Fournier and published his only novel, Le Grand Meaulnes, in 1913. The novel's evocative tale of adolescence and lost idealism earned immediate acclaim in France and remains a beloved classic. As a literary critic, he contributed essays and reviews exploring symbolism and modernist literary trends. When World War I broke out in 1914, he enlisted in the French army and was promoted to lieutenant. His experiences at the front informed his writing, though his promising career was cut short when he fell in battle near Vaux-lès-Palameix in September 1914. Posthumously, his fragmented manuscripts and letters have deepened appreciation for his lyrical prose and reflective intellect. Despite his brief life, Alain-Fournier's legacy endures through his singular vision of nostalgia and the transient nature of youth.

Born in Düsseldorf in 1894, Warlimont joined the German army before World War I and served with distinction on the Western Front. Between the wars, he rose through the ranks of the Reichswehr and later the Wehrmacht, specializing in operations planning. As Deputy Chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), he helped develop strategic plans for campaigns in Poland, France, and the Soviet Union. Warlimont was present at the Wolf's Lair and involved in the aftermath of the 20 July 1944 plot against Hitler, after which he was arrested and later pardoned due to his high rank. After the war, he was tried at Nuremberg and convicted for war crimes, receiving a ten-year sentence. Released in 1954, he lived quietly until his death in 1976. Warlimont’s career reflects both his strategic influence on wartime operations and the moral complexities faced by senior officers in Nazi Germany.

Born in Frankfurt am Main, Ernst-Günther Schenck earned a medical degree before joining the German Army as a military physician. He conducted pioneering research in sports nutrition and was appointed head of the nutrition department at the German Olympic Committee. During World War II, Schenck served as an army colonel and managed medical services on various fronts. After the war, he helped rebuild Germany's sports medicine programs and published influential works on physical training and diet. His blend of medical expertise and military leadership left a lasting impact on nutrition science and athletic performance. Schenck passed away in 1998.

Born in 1925, Simone Segouin, also known by her alias Nicole Minet, became one of the youngest members of the French Resistance during World War II. She carried out daring sabotage missions that disrupted German supply lines and intelligence operations. Segouin played a pivotal role in the liberation of Chartres and other towns in occupied France. Her bravery and tactical skill earned her the Croix de Guerre and recognition among her comrades. After the war, she largely withdrew from public life but remained an emblem of youthful defiance against tyranny. In later years, her story was revived in books and documentaries highlighting the contributions of women in the Resistance. She passed away in 2023 at the age of 98, leaving a lasting legacy as a symbol of courage and resilience.

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1935, Charles M. Duke Jr. graduated from the United States Naval Academy and earned a doctorate at Oxford University. After flying combat missions in Vietnam, he was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1966. As the lunar module pilot of Apollo 16 in 1972, Duke conducted moonwalks in the Descartes Highlands, collecting lunar samples and performing experiments. He flew on the support crew for Apollo 11 and later served in NASA management. Upon retiring as a brigadier general, he entered private business and dedicated himself to Christian ministry while logging over 4,000 flight hours.

Born in 1938, David Hart Dyke embarked on a Royal Navy career in 1960, serving on various ships and in staff roles before taking command of HMS Coventry. During the Falklands War, his leadership under fire was tested when Coventry was struck by Argentine aircraft and sank. Hart Dyke survived the attack and later detailed his experiences in the memoir Four Weeks in May, praised for its candid account of naval operations and command challenges. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his service. In retirement, he lectured on military history and leadership, contributing to defense education and literature.