November 27

Gaston IV de Foix was born in 1422 and succeeded his father as Count of Foix at an early age. He allied with the French crown against the English during the Hundred Years’ War and distinguished himself in several campaigns. In 1444 he married Eleanor of Navarre, securing a powerful dynastic alliance and increasing his political influence. Gaston managed his domains effectively, promoting economic growth and legal reforms. He navigated the turbulent politics of 15th-century France and maintained Foix’s autonomy. He died in 1472, leaving his son Francis Phoebus to inherit his legacy as both ruler and warrior.

Mingyi Swa was born in 1558 as the eldest son of King Nanda Bayin of the Toungoo Dynasty. As Crown Prince, he commanded expeditions to suppress rebellions and defend the empire’s borders. Swa led several military campaigns against the kingdom of Siam and internal insurgents, showcasing his leadership from a young age. His efforts were crucial to his father’s attempts to maintain the vast Burmese Empire after the death of Bayinnaung. In 1593, Mingyi Swa was killed in battle during a campaign in Siam, an event that accelerated the empire’s decline. His death marked a turning point leading to the fragmentation of Toungoo authority.

Shimazu Tadatsune was born in 1576 and became the third daimyō of Satsuma in 1602, consolidating control over the province. He participated in the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598) under Toyotomi Hideyoshi, demonstrating strategic and naval prowess. Under the Tokugawa shogunate, Tadatsune negotiated favorable trade privileges, including relations with the Ryukyu Kingdom. He introduced administrative reforms that balanced domain autonomy with loyalty to central authority. Tadatsune’s leadership laid the foundations for Satsuma’s prosperity and influence in the Edo period. He died in 1638, revered as a model feudal lord and strategist.

Born into the distinguished Clermont-Tonnerre family, Aimé rose through military ranks during the Bourbon Restoration. Appointed Minister of Defence, he oversaw the reorganization of the French army following the upheaval of the Napoleonic Wars. He implemented training reforms and modernized military administration to stabilize the nation’s defense forces. As a peer of France, he also played an active role in the Chamber of Peers, advocating moderate political reforms. His dual career as a soldier and statesman exemplified the restoration of monarchic institutions. Aimé’s reforms laid groundwork for future French military developments before his retirement and death in 1865.

Masaharu Homma was a lieutenant general in the Imperial Japanese Army, born in 1887. He commanded the 14th Army during the invasion of the Philippines, overseeing key battles in Bataan and Manila in 1942. Homma’s forces were responsible for the Bataan Death March, a brutal forced transfer of prisoners of war. After the war, he was tried by a U.S. military tribunal, convicted of war crimes, and executed in 1946. His career exemplifies the complexities and controversies of Japan’s military leadership in World War II. Homma’s command decisions and their consequences continue to be studied by historians.

Born in 1921 in Pasadena, California, Dora Dougherty Strother earned her pilot's license before joining the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) in 1943. She flew P-51 Mustangs and B-29 Superfortresses, ferrying aircraft across the United States. After WWII, she earned degrees in aeronautical engineering and became a professor at the University of Texas. Strother's research on flight dynamics influenced modern aviation safety practices. In 2009, she was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for her service. She remained an advocate for women in STEM until her death in 2013.

Chae Myung-shin was a South Korean Army general who held key leadership roles including Chief of Staff of the Republic of Korea Army and Commandant of the Marine Corps. He fought in the Korean War and later oversaw ROK forces in the Vietnam War. After retiring from active duty, he represented South Korea as Ambassador to Taiwan and advised on defense policy. Known for his strategic acumen, Chae implemented modern training programs and strengthened military cooperation with allies. He received numerous honors for valor and leadership. His career spanned over four decades, shaping South Korea’s military development during the Cold War era.

Tarmo Kõuts graduated from Tallinn Technical University and joined the Soviet Navy before Estonia regained independence. He became commander of the Estonian Navy, overseeing its modernization and integration with NATO standards. Transitioning to politics, he served in the Estonian Parliament, shaping defense policy. Kõuts has been recognized for strengthening Estonia's maritime security and supporting international cooperation. His career reflects a blend of military expertise and civic leadership in a transformative era.