December 05

William Sterling Parsons (1901–1953) was a United States Navy rear admiral and ordnance officer instrumental in the development and deployment of nuclear weapons during World War II. As the weaponeer aboard the Enola Gay, he armed the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. Parsons later served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Special Weapons, overseeing the Navy’s nuclear programs. He was promoted to admiral in recognition of his contributions to naval ordnance and strategic deterrence. Parsons’ work had a profound impact on military history and the dawn of the nuclear age.

Born in Novaya Golovinka, Russian Empire in 1895, Aleksandr Vasilevsky joined the Imperial Russian Army in 1915 and later became a key officer in the Red Army. As Chief of the General Staff from 1942, he planned major offensives at Stalingrad, Kursk, and Berlin, playing a decisive role in the defeat of Nazi Germany. After the war, Vasilevsky served as Minister of Defense for the Soviet Union from 1949 to 1953, overseeing postwar military reconstruction. He was twice named Hero of the Soviet Union and received numerous decorations for his leadership. Vasilevsky authored several military memoirs and remained an influential figure in Soviet defense policy until his death on December 5, 1977.

Ne Win was the leader of Myanmar (formerly Burma) following a military coup in 1962, establishing a one-party socialist state under the Burma Socialist Programme Party. As head of state, he implemented the 'Burmese Way to Socialism' economic policy, which led to widespread isolation and economic decline. His rule was marked by authoritarian control, nationalization of industries, and suppression of dissent. Though briefly serving as President from 1962 to 1974 and again from 1974 to 1981, he remained the country's de facto leader until his retirement in 1988. Ne Win's legacy is controversial, with lasting impacts on Myanmar's political and economic landscape.

Born in 1912 in Philadelphia, William Lederer served as a naval officer and intelligence analyst in Asia during World War II and the early Cold War. His experiences inspired the 1958 novel 'The Ugly American', co-written with Eugene Burdick, which exposed flaws in U.S. foreign policy and sparked public debate. Lederer went on to teach at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and wrote several other books on politics and culture. His work blended firsthand military insight with compelling storytelling, influencing both policymakers and readers.

Ernest C. Brace was an American Army captain and pilot born in 1931. He completed numerous flight missions, earning respect for his skill and leadership in the cockpit. Brace served in both domestic and overseas assignments, contributing to military aviation operations. He trained and mentored younger pilots, emphasizing safety procedures and tactical proficiency. After retiring from active service, he remained involved in veterans’ organizations and aviation circles. He passed away in 2014, remembered by peers for his unwavering commitment to service.

Tibor Rubin (1929–2015) was a Holocaust survivor turned United States Army hero who received the Medal of Honor for his bravery in the Korean War. After enduring forced labor in a Nazi concentration camp as a teenager, he emigrated to America and enlisted in 1950. Rubin volunteered for some of the war’s most dangerous missions, rescuing wounded comrades under heavy enemy fire and refusing evacuation until all men were safe. He also aided fellow prisoners as a POW in a Chinese camp, risking his life daily. Awarded the Medal of Honor in 2005, his story remains a powerful testament to courage and resilience.