November 04

Hu Zongxian (1512–1565) was a Ming dynasty military commander known for his campaigns against the Wokou pirates along the Chinese coast. He rose through the ranks due to his decisive victories and strategic acumen, securing key coastal regions. Hu implemented naval patrols and fortified defenses that reduced pirate incursions significantly. Despite his successes, he faced court intrigue and political rivalry that affected his standing at the imperial court. His efforts helped stabilize maritime trade routes during a period of increased foreign threats. Hu's legacy endures in Chinese military history as a skilled strategist who protected the realm from seaborne raids.

Born in Smyrna in 1883, Plastiras earned the nickname 'Black Eagle' for his courageous service during the Balkan Wars and World War I. He became a key military and political figure in interwar Greece, advocating for stability and modernization. Plastiras served as Prime Minister in three non-consecutive terms, focusing on rebuilding the nation and strengthening democratic institutions. He navigated Greece through periods of internal strife and foreign occupation. Plastiras retired from politics after World War II and passed away in 1953, remembered as a symbol of resilience and integrity.

Evelyn 'Mama Bird' Bryan Johnson (1909–2012) was a pioneering American aviator and colonel celebrated for amassing more than 57,000 flight hours in her lifetime. She served as a flight instructor and mentor, training thousands of aviators over her long career. Johnson was honored with the FAA's Elder Statesman of Aviation Award and other accolades for her contributions to flight safety. Known affectionately as 'Mama Bird,' she advocated for women in aviation, promoting education and career opportunities. Her pioneering spirit and dedication left a lasting impact on the aviation community worldwide.

John Basilone, born November 4, 1916, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1940 and distinguished himself at the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942. Facing overwhelming enemy forces, he manned machine-gun positions and repaired weapons under fire, actions that saved countless comrades. For his bravery, he received the Medal of Honor and returned home as a national hero to promote war bonds. Undeterred by fame, Basilone volunteered for a second tour and was killed in action on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross and is commemorated through films, books, and military memorials as a symbol of Marine valor and sacrifice.

Eugene Bondurant Sledge (1923–2001) served as a U.S. Marine in the Pacific Theater during some of the war's most brutal battles, including Peleliu and Okinawa. After the war, he earned a master's and doctorate in biology and taught marine science at the University of Montevallo for over 30 years. His memoir With the Old Breed is celebrated as one of the most vivid firsthand accounts of combat and has influenced generations of readers and historians. Sledge's candid storytelling offered profound reflections on the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit. He later contributed as an academic and lecturer, bridging veteran experiences with scientific scholarship. His life and work have been featured in Ken Burns' documentary The War, cementing his legacy in both military history and natural science education.

C. Odumegwu Ojukwu (1933–2011) educated at Oxford, rose to the rank of colonel in the Nigerian Army before leading the secession of Eastern Nigeria to form the Republic of Biafra in 1967. As president of the breakaway state, he became a symbol of Igbo nationalism and resistance during the Nigerian Civil War. The conflict ended in 1970 with Biafra’s reintegration into Nigeria, leading Ojukwu into a lengthy exile. He returned in the 1980s and later entered mainstream politics, running for president in 2003. Ojukwu’s legacy is complex, marked by his role in a devastating civil war and efforts toward reconciliation. He is remembered as a charismatic leader whose actions shaped modern Nigerian history.

Amadou Toumani Touré, often called ‘ATT’, was a soldier-turned-statesman from Mali. Born in 1948, he led the 1991 coup that overthrew a dictatorship and restored democracy. He served as interim leader before being elected President in 2002 and re-elected in 2007. His tenure focused on national reconciliation, development projects, and regional stability. Before politics, Touré had a distinguished military career, rising to senior command roles. He remains revered for his commitment to democratic principles and peaceful governance.