October 31

Cornelis Jol (1597–1641) served as an admiral in the Dutch West India Company during the Eighty Years' War. Nicknamed 'Houtebeen' ('Peg Leg') after losing a leg in battle, he became famed for his resilience. He led daring raids in the Caribbean, capturing Spanish treasure ships and crippling enemy trade. Jol's fleet actions during the Dutch-Portuguese War expanded Dutch influence overseas. His strategic acumen and bold tactics cemented his reputation as a formidable 17th-century naval commander. He died in 1641, leaving a legacy in European maritime history.

Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald, was a prominent Scottish naval officer and politician. Born in 1775, he earned a reputation for daring sea actions during the Napoleonic Wars. His bold tactics inspired naval strategy and literary works, including those by Patrick O’Brian. After his naval career, he served in Parliament and aided independence movements in Chile, Brazil, and Greece. Despite controversy and court-martial, he is remembered as one of Britain's greatest maritime commanders and reformers.

Joseph Hooker was a major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Born in 1814, he earned the nickname ‘Fighting Joe’ for his aggressive leadership style. He led the Army of the Potomac and achieved victories at the Battle of Lookout Mountain. Despite his tactical acumen, he suffered a significant defeat at Chancellorsville in 1863. After the war, Hooker continued to serve with distinction in the regular army until his retirement.

Sir William Evans-Gordon was an English army officer and Member of Parliament in the late Victorian era. Born in 1857, he served in British India before entering politics as a Conservative. He is best known for sponsoring the Aliens Act 1905, Britain’s first modern immigration law. Evans-Gordon campaigned on issues of national security and social reform. His career reflects the complexities of imperial service and domestic politics in early 20th-century Britain.

Mikhail Frunze was a prominent Bolshevik leader and military commander during the Russian Revolution of 1917. Born in 1885 in Pishpek (now Bishkek), he joined the Bolshevik Party and organized armed squads in Petrograd leading up to the October Revolution. During the Civil War, Frunze commanded Red Army forces to decisive victories against anti-Bolshevik troops. Afterward, he served as People's Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs, overseeing the restructuring of the Soviet armed forces. Known for his strategic acumen and writings on military organization, he became one of the Soviet Union's most respected officers. Frunze died under mysterious circumstances in 1925, and his writings on military theory continued to influence Soviet doctrine.

Born in 1916, P. W. Botha joined the South African Army during World War II before rising through the National Party ranks. He became Prime Minister in 1978 and later the first executive State President in 1984, enforcing apartheid policies. Botha implemented limited reforms but resisted international pressure to dismantle racial segregation, leading to increased sanctions and domestic unrest. He resigned in 1989, leaving a controversial legacy defined by both hardline governance and cautious engagement with reformists.

John H. Reed was born in Fort Fairfield, Maine, in 1921 and enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II. After distinguished military service, he transitioned to politics, serving as a state senator and later as Maine's 67th Governor. During his term from 1959 to 1967, Reed focused on economic development and educational reform. He championed infrastructure projects and worked to modernize the state's tax system. Reed's leadership helped guide Maine through a period of postwar growth and social change. After leaving office, he remained active in civic affairs until his passing in 2012.

David Manker Abshire was born in 1926 and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He served as an Army officer and later embarked on a diplomatic career during the Cold War. As U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO from 1983 to 1987, Abshire played a key role in alliance strategy. He also served on the National Security Council and advised multiple presidential administrations. After government service, he co-founded the Center for Strategic and International Studies and contributed to policy research. Abshire's leadership in military and international affairs left a lasting impact on U.S. foreign policy.