December 08

Rüdiger von der Goltz was born in 1865 into a Prussian military family and rose through the ranks of the Imperial German Army. During World War I, he commanded several infantry units before being appointed to lead the Baltic Sea Division in 1918. Under his command, German forces intervened in the Finnish Civil War, supporting the White faction. He later took part in anti-Bolshevik campaigns in the Baltic region. Goltz’s military career spanned major European conflicts, and he remained a controversial figure until his death in 1946.

Francis Balfour was born in England in 1884 and embarked on a military career in the British Army. He achieved the rank of colonel and served with distinction. After his military service, he transitioned into politics, representing his constituency in local and national affairs. Known for his leadership skills, he became a respected voice in his party. Balfour advocated for veterans' rights and military preparedness. His dual career bridged the worlds of defense and governance. He passed away in 1965, remembered for his dedication to both his country and his community.

Born in 1900, Sun Li-jen graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and the British Army’s Staff College. He commanded Chinese divisions during World War II, earning a reputation as the "Rommel of the East." After the war, he became a prominent political figure in Taiwan, serving as Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Commission. Accused of plotting a coup, he was placed under house arrest for over three decades. Released shortly before his death in 1990, he is remembered as one of China’s most respected military leaders.

Born in 1908 in Wakefield, Massachusetts, John A. Volpe served as an Army lieutenant colonel in World War II. Elected governor in 1960 and again in 1964, he focused on infrastructure development and education reform. Under President Richard Nixon, he became the first U.S. Secretary of Transportation, overseeing the expansion of the nation's highway system. He later served as U.S. Ambassador to Italy, strengthening international ties during the Cold War. Volpe’s leadership left a lasting legacy in both state and national government until his death in 1994.

Rudolph Pariser was born in Harbin in 1923 and later moved to the United States. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War II. After the war, he earned a Ph.D. in chemistry and embarked on an academic career. In 1953, Pariser co-developed the Pariser-Parr-Pople method, a foundational theoretical model in quantum chemistry. He held faculty positions at several universities and published influential research papers. Pariser passed away in 2021, leaving a lasting impact on theoretical chemistry.

Ralph Puckett Jr. was born in Washington state in 1926. He led the 8th Army Ranger Company in the Korean War and held off overwhelming forces. Puckett's actions earned him the Distinguished Service Cross and later the Medal of Honor. He rose through the ranks to become a colonel in the U.S. Army. After retiring, he served as a mentor and advocate for Army Rangers. He passed away in 2024, celebrated as one of the last living Korean War heroes.

Vladimir Shatalov was born in Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan, in 1927. He served as a pilot in the Soviet Air Force before joining the cosmonaut corps. Shatalov flew on the Soyuz 4, Soyuz 8, and Soyuz 10 missions. He later became head of the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. His leadership helped shape the Soviet space program during the Cold War. Shatalov died in 2021, remembered as a pioneer of human spaceflight.

Born in 1941, Randy 'Duke' Cunningham was a United States Navy pilot ace during the Vietnam War, credited with five aerial victories. He received the Medal of Honor in 1972 for his combat achievements. After military service, Cunningham served as a U.S. Representative for California's 50th congressional district from 1991 to 2005. He was known for his advocacy on defense and national security issues in Congress. Cunningham resigned in 2005 following a conviction for corruption, serving two years in federal prison. His life story reflects both heroism in combat and the consequences of political scandal.