October 09

Born in Mulhouse, France, in 1859, Alfred Dreyfus graduated from the École Polytechnique and joined the French Army's artillery branch. He served in various colonial campaigns before being promoted to captain. In 1894, Dreyfus was wrongly convicted of treason in a highly publicized trial fueled by anti-Semitic sentiment. He was publicly degraded and imprisoned on Devil's Island, sparking the Dreyfus Affair and a fierce debate over justice and nationalism. After years of advocacy by Émile Zola and others, new evidence led to his exoneration and reinstatement as an officer in 1906. Dreyfus continued his military career, serving in World War I and rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He died in 1935, remembered as a symbol of the fight against injustice.

Born in Rio de Janeiro to British parents in 1864, Reginald Edward Harry Dyer was educated at Clifton College and Sandhurst. He served in India and on the Northwest Frontier, rising to the rank of brigadier general during World War I. In April 1919, Dyer commanded troops in Amritsar and ordered them to fire on unarmed civilians gathered at Jallianwala Bagh. The massacre resulted in hundreds of deaths and became a turning point in India's struggle for independence. Dyer was relieved of his command and retired amid controversy and public debate in Britain. He spent his later years in Britain and died in 1927, remembered for one of the darkest chapters of colonial rule.

Eugene Bullard (1895–1961) was the first African American military pilot, earning his wings with the French Air Service during World War I. Denied the chance to fly for the U.S. Army because of racial discrimination, he volunteered in France and flew combat missions. After the war, Bullard became a jazz musician and nightclub owner in Paris before returning to the United States. During World War II, he served as an undercover agent for the Office of Strategic Services. Bullard’s pioneering spirit and courage paved the way for future generations of aviators and civil rights advocates.

Horst Wessel was a Sturmabteilung (SA) leader in early Nazi Germany who became an emblematic martyr after his death. A devoted member of the Nazi Party, he wrote the lyrics to the 'Horst Wessel Song', which became the official anthem of the SS and SA. In 1930, Wessel was fatally shot during a confrontation with Communist Party members in Berlin. The Nazi leadership seized on his death, awarding him posthumous honors and elevating him as a heroic symbol of the movement. His funeral was turned into a mass propaganda event, cementing the song’s status in Nazi ceremonies. Despite his early demise at the age of 22, Wessel’s name remained synonymous with Nazi ideology throughout the regime. His story illustrates the power of mythmaking and propaganda in totalitarian systems.

Werner von Haeften was a German Wehrmacht lieutenant who served as aide-de-camp to Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg. He played a crucial role in the 20 July 1944 plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler by escorting Stauffenberg to the Wolf’s Lair and supporting the coup’s communication efforts. After the plot failed, von Haeften was arrested, tried by the Gestapo, and executed the same day. He is remembered as a courageous resistor within the German military who risked his life to oppose tyranny. Educated at military academies, he brought both discipline and moral conviction to his service. His sacrifice underscores the bravery of those who resisted Nazism from within. Today, von Haeften is honored in Germany as a symbol of conscience and courage.

Charles Read (1918–2014) rose through the ranks of the Royal Australian Air Force, eventually achieving the rank of Air Marshal. He commanded key operational units and contributed to strategic planning during the Cold War era. Read played a vital role in modernizing the RAAF’s capabilities, overseeing the introduction of advanced aircraft and training programs. He represented Australia at international defense conferences and fostered cooperation with allied air forces. After his retirement, he remained active in veteran affairs and defense policy discussions, leaving a lasting impact on Australian military aviation.

Born in 1930 in Erath, Louisiana, Hank Lauricella rose to fame as a halfback for LSU, earning two-time All-American honors and finishing second in the 1950 Heisman Trophy balloting. After college, he served as a United States Marine Corps lieutenant during the Korean War. Following his military service, he embarked on a long political career, representing District 8 in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1964 to 1972 and serving in the State Senate from 1976 to 2000. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1974, celebrated for his versatility and leadership on and off the field. Lauricella remained a beloved figure in Louisiana sports and politics until his passing in 2014 at the age of 84.

Born in 1933 in London, Bill Tidy served as a physical training instructor in the Royal Corps of Signals, where he first drew cartoons for military publications. After leaving the army, he became a professional cartoonist, creating beloved strips such as 'The Cloggies' and 'The Fosdyke Saga'. His work appeared in Punch, Private Eye, the Daily Mirror, and other major outlets, known for its sharp humor and distinctive pen-and-ink style. Tidy authored several books compiling his cartoons and earned a loyal following over six decades of cartooning. In 2013, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to illustration and charity work, remaining active until his death in 2023.

Born in 1940, Gordon J. Humphrey graduated from the University of New Hampshire and served as a naval aviator before entering politics. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1978 as a conservative outsider, advocating for fiscal restraint, government accountability, and constitutional principles. During his two terms, Humphrey was known for his opposition to excessive federal spending and his support for environmental conservation in New England. After leaving the Senate in 1990, he remained active in public policy debates and made an exploratory bid for the Republican nomination for President in 1992. Humphrey has also been involved in grassroots campaigns and has written on defense and governance issues. His career bridges military service and political leadership, reflecting a commitment to public service.

Hugh Robertson began his career serving as an officer in the British Army with deployments in Northern Ireland and Bosnia. Elected MP for Faversham and Mid Kent in 2001, he built a reputation as a committed public servant. As Minister for Sport and the Olympics from 2010 to 2012, Robertson played a key role in the success of the London 2012 Olympic Games. He worked to secure funding and public engagement, ensuring the event’s organizational excellence. After leaving Parliament in 2015, he has remained involved in sports governance and charitable work.