November 29

Roger Mortimer (1287–1330) distinguished himself in military campaigns in Wales and Scotland before becoming Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He forged alliances with Queen Isabella, leading to the overthrow of King Edward II in 1327. As de facto ruler of England, Mortimer governed alongside the young Edward III until his fall from grace in 1330. His regime implemented legal and financial reforms but faced accusations of corruption and favoritism. Mortimer was captured, tried for treason, and executed, ending his rapid rise to power. His tumultuous career had lasting effects on the relationship between the monarchy and the nobility.

Alonso de Ercilla was born in 1533 and served as a cavalry officer in the Spanish army during the Arauco War in Chile. His firsthand experiences among the Mapuche tribes inspired his epic verse La Araucana, which blends historical fact with literary imagination. The poem became a landmark of Spanish Golden Age literature and the first major epic written by a participant in its own events. Ercilla later returned to Spain, where he enjoyed royal favor and held court positions. He died in 1594, leaving a legacy as both a soldier and a pioneering literary figure.

Ernst von Mansfeld was born in 1580 into a Bohemian noble family and became a prominent mercenary commander during the Thirty Years’ War. He led Protestant forces in the Palatinate and the Netherlands, financing his campaigns through strategic alliances and battlefield plunder. Known for his bold tactics and resilience, Mansfeld remained independent of any single crown. He contracted plague while besieging Prague and died in 1626. Mansfeld’s career exemplifies the era’s complex mercenary warfare and the blurred lines between politics and soldiering.

John Felton was a former soldier under the patronage of the Duke of Buckingham, serving in campaigns in France and La Rochelle. Frustrated by perceived slights and lack of advancement, Felton decided to avenge himself on his former patron. On November 23, 1628, he confronted Buckingham in Portsmouth and fatally stabbed him. The assassination shocked England and was met with popular acclaim by those opposed to Buckingham’s influence. Felton was swiftly tried, convicted of murder, and executed. His act had lasting political repercussions during the reign of King Charles I.

Born in Scotland in 1635, Gordon entered Russian service in 1661 under Tsar Alexis I. He rose through the ranks to become a General and served under Peter the Great. Gordon played a crucial role in modernizing the Russian army with Western European tactics. He fought in wars against the Ottoman Empire and the Crimean Khanate, demonstrating tactical skill. As a trusted advisor, he aided Peter the Great's military reforms that transformed Russia. His detailed diaries provide valuable insights into 17th-century Russian court and warfare.

Born in 1820 in Temascaltepec, Mexico. He pursued a military career and rose to the rank of general during the Reform War and French Intervention. In June 1876, he assumed the interim presidency of Mexico following the departure of President Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada. During his term, he maintained stability and prepared the way for Porfirio Díaz's government. After leaving office in 1877, he continued to serve in various military and diplomatic roles. Méndez is recognized for safeguarding the transition of power during a turbulent period in Mexican history. He died in 1894 in Mexico City.

Born in 1916 in Hanna, Oklahoma. Wagner graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was assigned to the 17th Pursuit Squadron in the Philippines at the outbreak of World War II. In combat, he became the USAAF's first fighter ace by downing multiple enemy aircraft. He received the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism. Wagner continued to lead missions until he was killed in action later in 1942. He is remembered as a pioneering hero of American air power in the Pacific theater.

Born in 1916 in Sydney, Australia. Middleton joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1936. He served as a bomber pilot with No. 78 Squadron in Europe during World War II. In 1942, after his aircraft was crippled by enemy fire, he refused to abandon his wounded crew. Flying back two crew members to safety, he succumbed to his wounds and crashed. Posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his selflessness and courage. Middleton's gallantry remains emblematic of the spirit of RAAF airmen.

Born in 1907, Robert T. Frederick graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1930. He led the First Special Service Force, a joint US-Canadian commando unit known as the 'Devil's Brigade,' during key operations in Italy. Frederick later commanded American Ranger battalions at the D-Day landings and the assault on Pointe du Hoc. For his valor and leadership he received the Distinguished Service Cross and multiple other honors. After the war he oversaw the I Airborne Army and played a role in early Cold War planning. Frederick died in 1970, leaving a legacy as a pioneer of modern special operations.

Born in 1898 in Hunan province, Peng Dehuai rose from peasant roots to become one of the founding marshals of the People's Liberation Army. He commanded the Eighth Route Army against Japanese forces, earning a reputation for strategic skill and battlefield courage. After 1949, Peng served as Defense Minister and implemented reforms to modernize China's military. He famously criticized the Great Leap Forward at the Lushan Conference in 1959, leading to his political downfall and purge. Despite his fall from favor, Peng's reforms laid the groundwork for later PLA modernization. He died in 1974 and was posthumously rehabilitated for his contributions to the Communist revolution and China's defense.

Kazuo Sakamaki (1918-1999) was a lieutenant in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. He commanded one of the midget submarines in the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. After his vessel ran aground, Sakamaki was captured by U.S. forces, becoming Japan's first prisoner of war. He was held in the United States until 1949, after which he returned to Japan and led a quiet civilian life. His memoirs and interviews provide unique insights into Japan's naval operations and POW experiences. Sakamaki later served as managing director of a non-profit organization supporting ex-servicemen and veterans.

Born in 1946, Dwayne Alons was a brigadier general in the Iowa Air National Guard and served as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives from 1999 until his death in 2014. He commanded the 185th Air Refueling Wing and focused on supporting veterans and rural communities. Alons held degrees from Northwestern College and the University of Iowa. Known for his fiscal conservatism and commitment to public service, he was a respected voice in state politics. His dual career in the military and legislature left a lasting impact on Iowa's governance and its citizens.