November 02

Conrad Weiser was born in 1696 in the German Palatinate before emigrating to Pennsylvania in 1710. Fluent in multiple languages, he became an indispensable interpreter between colonial authorities and the Iroquois Confederacy. He participated in military expeditions against French-allied tribes during the French and Indian War. In addition to his military service, Weiser served as a county judge and magistrate, adjudicating land and treaty disputes. A devout Lutheran, he also worked as a lay minister, establishing congregations on the frontier. His diplomatic efforts helped secure treaties that maintained relative peace in the mid-18th century. He died in 1760, remembered as a pivotal figure in colonial Native American relations.

Alexander Vraciu enlisted in the U.S. Navy before World War II and quickly distinguished himself as a daring fighter ace. Flying the F6F Hellcat, he achieved 19 confirmed kills, including six in a single mission during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Vraciu earned the Navy Cross and multiple Silver Stars for his valor. After the war, he continued his naval career, retiring as a commander and mentoring new generations of aviators. His skill and leadership made him one of America’s most celebrated naval pilots.