October 31

Adelbert Ames was an American military officer and politician active during the Civil War and Reconstruction era. He graduated from West Point and served as a Union brigadier general, commanding troops in key campaigns. After the war, Ames was appointed provisional governor of Mississippi and later elected as its 27th governor, implementing civil rights measures and public education reforms. A leading Radical Republican, he faced fierce opposition and threats from white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan. Ames advocated for racial equality and rebuilding the Southern economy through infrastructure projects. Though his tenure was short, his efforts laid groundwork for future civil rights advancements.

Born in 1848, Boston Custer joined the U.S. Army’s 7th Cavalry under his brother’s command. He served as an assistant on several frontier expeditions during the Indian Wars. On June 25, 1876, he fought at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in Montana Territory. Despite his brother’s controversial tactics, Boston distinguished himself by his courage under fire. He was among the soldiers killed in the campaign, his death reflecting the turbulent conflict between the U.S. Army and Native American tribes. His story remains a poignant chapter in the American West’s history.

Born in 1881 in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Toshizō Nishio graduated from the Imperial Japanese Army Academy. He served in the Siberian Intervention and held key posts in military intelligence. As commander of the Japanese Fifth Army, he led operations during the Marco Polo Bridge Incident in 1937. Nishio later oversaw campaigns in North China, demonstrating strategic acumen in difficult terrain. After World War II, he was arrested by Allied forces but released without trial and died in 1960. His career illustrates Japan's military expansion and the complexities of early 20th-century warfare.

Born in 1887 in Zhejiang province, Chiang Kai-shek trained at the Whampoa Military Academy under Sun Yat-sen. He unified China in the late 1920s through the Northern Expedition, ending warlord rule. As leader of the Nationalist government, he fought both Communist forces and the invading Japanese army. Elected President of the Republic of China in 1948, he led the government's retreat to Taiwan in 1949. Chiang ruled Taiwan under martial law, laying foundations for its modern economy and governance. He died in 1975, leaving a complex legacy marked by anti-communism and nation-building efforts.

Major General Sir Basil Henry Liddell Hart was an English soldier, military historian, and theorist recognized for his ideas on armored warfare and the indirect approach. He served in World War I and later influenced interwar and postwar military doctrines. Through works like "Strategy" and "The Ghost of Napoleon," he advocated for maneuver warfare over frontal assaults. Liddell Hart's concepts impacted military leaders worldwide, including those in World War II. He collaborated on editing memoirs and advising on military history, including work with exiled Kaiser Wilhelm II. His writings remain essential references in military academies around the world.

Born in 1917, Gordon Steege joined the Royal Australian Air Force at the outbreak of World War II. He flew combat missions in the European theater, piloting Spitfires in aerial engagements. Steege was recognized for his bravery and skill under fire. After the war, he continued serving in the RAAF and helped train new pilots. He participated in post-war aerospace development and military training programs. Steege's leadership and flying expertise made him a respected figure among his peers. He retired with honors and remained active in veteran communities until his death in 2013.

Michael Collins was an American astronaut, test pilot, and U.S. Air Force major general. As command module pilot on Apollo 11, he circled the Moon alone while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history on the lunar surface. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Collins flew combat missions in Vietnam and became a respected figure in aerospace. After NASA, he served as director of the National Air and Space Museum and wrote the acclaimed memoir Carrying the Fire. His insights and leadership continued to inspire space exploration until his death in 2021.

Antonio Taguba graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1972 and rose through the ranks to become a brigadier general. In 2004, he was appointed to investigate allegations of prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. The resulting Taguba Report exposed serious misconduct and prompted widespread military and governmental reforms. Taguba retired after more than three decades of service but continued to lecture on leadership and ethics. He is recognized for his integrity and commitment to accountability within the armed forces. His work has had a lasting impact on military practices and human rights policies.

Born on October 31, 1961, Alonzo Babers won gold medals in the 400m and 4x400m relay at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics while attending the United States Air Force Academy. After his athletic success, he fulfilled his military commitment by flying F-16 fighter jets. Babers is celebrated for combining elite athletic achievement with dedicated service, and he remains an inspiring figure in both sports and the military.