October 08

Born in 1876 in England, Frederick Montague earned the rank of lieutenant in the British Army. After his military service, he embarked on a political career and served as a Member of Parliament for several decades. Montague was known for championing social welfare reforms and advocating for veterans' rights. In recognition of his public service, he was elevated to the peerage as the 1st Baron Amwell in 1947. He remained active in charitable work and public affairs until his death in 1966. His leadership and dedication left a lasting impact on British politics.

Born in 1884 into a Bavarian military family, Walther von Reichenau graduated from the Prussian military academy. He served with distinction in World War I and remained in the Reichswehr during the interwar years. At the outbreak of World War II, Reichenau led the 4th Army in the invasions of Poland and France. He was appointed commander of Army Group South for Operation Barbarossa in 1941. Reichenau was known for his strict discipline and loyalty to Nazi leadership, and his forces were implicated in wartime atrocities. He suffered a fatal stroke in January 1942 and died shortly after, leaving a controversial military legacy.

Credited with 26 aerial victories, Rickenbacker was the highest-scoring American fighter ace of World War I. He received the Medal of Honor for his bravery and skill in combat. After the war, he became President of Eastern Air Lines, transforming it into a leading commercial carrier. Rickenbacker's leadership and innovation shaped the early airline industry. He remained an influential figure in aviation until his death in 1973.

A central figure in 20th-century Argentina, Perón served as President from 1946 to 1955 and again in 1973–74. His political movement, Peronism, combined social welfare policies with strong nationalistic rhetoric. Perón's wife, Eva Duarte (Evita), became an iconic figure and champion of the poor. After a military coup in 1955, he lived in exile before returning to power nearly two decades later. His legacy remains deeply divisive and influential in Argentine politics.

Helmut Kallmeyer (1910-2006) was a German chemist and soldier. He pursued his passion for chemistry through education and early research. In addition to his scientific work, he served in the military. His life illustrates the intersection of scientific study and national service in 20th-century Germany. Although specifics of his research and service remain limited, his dual roles were notable. He passed away in 2006.

Marion Russell Ballard was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. He served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy during the late 1940s and early 1950s. After his military career, he joined his family's business before being called as a general authority of the LDS Church. Appointed to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1985, he presides over missionary programs and humanitarian initiatives. Ballard has traveled to over 50 countries, fostering interfaith dialogue and charitable work. He has authored many addresses and served on key church councils, influencing policy and global outreach.

Born October 8, 1959, in Arequipa, Peru, he emigrated to the United States as a child and graduated from the United States Naval Academy. Noriega served as a Marine Corps pilot and flight officer before being selected by NASA in 1994. He flew as a mission specialist on STS-84 aboard Atlantis and STS-97 aboard Endeavour, logging over 400 hours in space and performing critical tasks on the International Space Station. After his spaceflights, Noriega held leadership roles at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, overseeing astronaut safety and mission operations. He retired from the Marine Corps at the rank of colonel and has since worked in aerospace management and consulting.

Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui is a Congolese colonel who served as a commander during the Ituri conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He led the Nduma Defence of Congo militia group in the early 2000s and was accused of orchestrating attacks against civilians. In 2008, he was arrested and transferred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. He faced charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder and sexual violence. In 2012, he was acquitted due to insufficient evidence but remains a controversial figure. His trial highlighted challenges in prosecuting wartime atrocities in unstable regions. Ngudjolo’s case continues to influence discussions on international justice and accountability.