November 26

Born in 898 as the eldest son of warlord Li Maozhen, Li Congyan rose to prominence in the fractured political landscape of 10th-century China. He commanded the strategic Fengxiang Circuit, balancing allegiances between rival regimes. Known for his administrative skill and military strategy, he maintained stability in his territory through diplomacy and selective force. His leadership exemplified the era’s shifting loyalties and complex regional power struggles. Li Congyan’s career reflects the challenges faced by regional governors in a time of constant upheaval.

Henry Ireton (1611–1651) was an English-Irish general and statesman who played a key role in the English Civil War. He served under Oliver Cromwell and married Cromwell’s daughter Bridget. In 1650 he was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and led military campaigns to secure Parliamentary control. He negotiated the controversial Treaty of Limerick with Irish leaders. Known for his administrative reforms and strict discipline, Ireton helped shape the early Commonwealth government. He died of the plague in Limerick in 1651. His life and actions remain a subject of historical study and debate.

Luis Méndez de Haro (1598–1661) was a Spanish noble, general, and chief minister to King Philip IV known as Valido del Rey. He succeeded the Count-Duke of Olivares and managed both political affairs and military campaigns during the Thirty Years’ War. As a trusted advisor, he negotiated treaties, led royal forces against internal revolts, and helped maintain Habsburg power. His leadership shaped Spanish policy in Europe and the Americas. Despite challenges and court intrigues, he remained a central figure at the Spanish court until his death. His influence marked the final decades of Spain’s Golden Age.

Jean-de-Dieu Soult (1769–1851) was a French military leader and statesman who rose to prominence during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. As one of Napoleon’s Marshals, he distinguished himself at Austerlitz, Corunna, and elsewhere, earning the title Duke of Dalmatia. Following Napoleon’s fall, Soult adapted to shifting regimes and served three terms as Prime Minister under Louis XVIII and Louis-Philippe. He implemented conservative domestic policies and oversaw military reforms. Despite controversies over his political flexibility, he remained an influential figure in 19th-century France. Soult’s dual careers in war and government exemplify the turbulent era of French history.

Born in 1788, Pavel Kiselyov rose through the ranks of the Imperial Russian Army during the Napoleonic Wars. He gained recognition for his leadership and strategic acumen in various campaigns. Later appointed as Minister of State Properties, Kiselyov introduced reforms to improve rural administration and the welfare of state peasants. He established schools and modernized local governance, earning a reputation as a progressive reformer. His policies faced resistance but laid the groundwork for future administrative changes. Kiselyov died in 1872, leaving a lasting legacy in both military and civil spheres.

Born in 1868 in Chihuahua, Felipe Ángeles graduated from the Mexican Military Academy and served with distinction in the Federal Army. During the Mexican Revolution, he joined Francisco I. Madero's forces and later became chief of artillery for Pancho Villa's Division of the North. Noted for his military expertise and ethical conduct, he emphasized minimizing civilian casualties and respecting property rights. After Villa's defeat, Ángeles continued to support constitutionalist causes and corresponded with President Venustiano Carranza. He was captured in 1919 by Carranza's forces and executed that same year. Today, he is remembered as one of the most honorable and skilled commanders of the Mexican Revolution.

Born in 1893 in Ukraine, Semen Karetnyk joined the anarchist movement and became a close ally of Nestor Makhno. He served as a commander in the Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine, leading partisan units against both White and Red forces. Known for his tactical acumen, Karetnyk orchestrated successful raids and defended agrarian communes. After the Bolsheviks turned against anarchist forces in 1920, he attempted to negotiate but was arrested by the Red Army. He was executed that year, becoming one of the notable victims of the civil war's political purges. Karetnyk is remembered for his unwavering commitment to anarchist principles and the defense of peasant autonomy.

Born in 1863 in Obernkirchen, Reinhard Scheer joined the Imperial German Navy in 1879 and steadily rose through the ranks. As commander of the High Seas Fleet, he led German naval forces in the pivotal Battle of Jutland in 1916, the largest naval clash of World War I. Although tactically inconclusive, his decisions drew both criticism and praise in Germany and Britain. After the war, Scheer served in various naval advisory roles during the transition to a reduced postwar navy. He authored memoirs reflecting on naval strategy and the challenges of modern warfare. Scheer died in 1928, remembered for his strategic mind and leadership in one of history's most significant naval engagements.

Born in 1876 in Istanbul, Şükrü Naili Gökberk graduated from the Ottoman Military Academy and served on multiple fronts in the Balkan Wars and World War I. He distinguished himself through his leadership and strategic skills, earning promotions in the Ottoman Army. After the defeat of the Ottoman Empire, he joined Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in the Turkish War of Independence. Gökberk played a key role in several decisive battles, contributing to the establishment of modern Turkey. He continued to serve in the Turkish Armed Forces, helping to organize the new republic's military structure. Gökberk died in 1936, remembered as a dedicated officer who bridged two eras of Turkish history.

Silvestras Žukauskas (1860–1937) was a Lithuanian general known for his instrumental role in securing Lithuania’s independence after World War I. He began his career in the Russian Imperial Army before joining the Lithuanian forces in 1919. As Commander-in-Chief, he organized and modernized the nascent Lithuanian Army. He led successful campaigns against Bolshevik and Bermontian forces, solidifying the country’s sovereignty. After retiring from active service, he served as a military advisor and remained a respected figure in national defense. His leadership laid the foundation for Lithuania’s armed forces and earned him lasting recognition.

Edward 'Butch' O'Hare (1914–1943) was an American lieutenant and fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy during World War II. On February 20, 1942, he shot down five enemy bombers in a single mission, earning the Medal of Honor. His actions helped protect the aircraft carrier USS Lexington from a Japanese attack. O'Hare later served as Executive Officer of the USS Enterprise’s Fighter Squadron VF-3 before disappearing during a night mission over the Pacific. He was declared missing in action and posthumously promoted to Lieutenant Commander. The airport in Chicago and a World War II destroyer were named in his honor. O'Hare remains celebrated as one of America’s earliest naval air heroes.

Colonel Thomas G. Lanphier Jr. played a key role in Operation Vengeance, the mission to intercept Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto in 1943. Born in 1915, he joined the U.S. Army Air Forces and quickly distinguished himself as a skilled pilot and leader. The success of the mission was pivotal in U.S. intelligence operations during World War II, though Lanphier’s claim alongside another pilot sparked lasting controversy. After the war, he continued to serve in various capacities and later worked in the aviation industry. Lanphier passed away in 1987, remembered for his bravery and the enduring debate over the mission's details.