November 01

François-Marie, comte de Broglie was an Italian-born French military commander born in 1611. Entering French service, he served under Cardinal Richelieu and King Louis XIII during the Thirty Years' War. De Broglie distinguished himself in campaigns at Tuttlingen and Arras with disciplined leadership. He was praised for tactical skill and contributed to France’s military successes. Elevated to the rank of marshal of France, he left a mark on 17th-century warfare before his death in 1656.

Born in Saint-Malo in 1720, Toussaint-Guillaume Picquet de la Motte entered the French Navy as a young officer. He distinguished himself in numerous engagements against the British, notably capturing HMS Quebec in 1779. During the American Revolutionary War, he commanded squadrons that supported the crucial naval blockade at the Battle of the Chesapeake in 1781. Promoted to Vice-Admiral, he later served as Governor of Martinique. His strategic acumen and leadership bolstered French maritime power in the late 18th century. He died in 1791, honored as one of France’s foremost naval commanders.

Born in 1752, Józef Zajączek began his military career in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth’s army and fought during the Kościuszko Uprising of 1794. Aligning with Napoleon Bonaparte, he commanded Polish legions in campaigns across Europe and earned a reputation for bravery and tactical skill. After Napoleon’s defeat and the Congress of Vienna, Zajączek was appointed Viceroy (Namestnik) of the Kingdom of Poland under Tsar Alexander I. In this role he implemented administrative reforms but faced criticism for his cooperation with Russian authorities. He remained a central figure in Polish politics until his death in Warsaw in 1826.

Born in Bursa in 1839, Ahmed Muhtar Pasha rose through the Ottoman military ranks with distinction. He earned fame in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78 and held key commands thereafter. Appointed Grand Vizier in October 1912, he led the empire during the turbulent onset of the First Balkan War. Facing military setbacks, he resigned in July 1913 and retired from public service. He died in 1919, remembered as a reform-minded leader during one of the Ottoman Empire’s critical eras.

Perikles Ioannidis was born in 1881 and entered the Hellenic Naval Academy as a young cadet. He rose through the ranks and commanded destroyer flotillas during the Balkan Wars of 1912–13. During World War I, he led naval operations in the Aegean and Adriatic seas. After the war, he helped modernize the Greek Navy's fleet and training programs. Promoted to admiral, Ioannidis later served as Chief of the Navy General Staff, shaping Greece's maritime strategy. He was known for his tactical acumen and commitment to naval innovation. Ioannidis remained an influential figure in Greek military circles until his death in 1965.

Barry Sadler served as a medic in the U.S. Army Special Forces during the Vietnam War and earned widespread acclaim with his song. In 1966, 'The Ballad of the Green Berets' topped the Billboard charts and became an anthem for U.S. troops. He authored the bestselling 'Casca' series of historical novels about an immortal Roman soldier. Sadler also pursued acting with roles in film and television throughout the 1970s. His creative achievements and military service defined a remarkable but turbulent life until his death in 1989.

Born in 1944 on the island of Faa'a, Oscar Temaru emerged as a leading voice for Tahitian autonomy and social justice. He co-founded the Tavini Huiraatira party, advocating for the rights of indigenous Polynesians and greater local control. Temaru first assumed the presidency in 2004 and served several non-consecutive terms, guiding government initiatives in education, health, and cultural preservation. His leadership style emphasized grassroots participation and transparency. Despite political challenges and debates over independence, he maintained a significant grassroots following. Temaru’s tenure reshaped French Polynesia’s relationship with France and elevated discussions on decolonization in the Pacific region.