December 12

Álvaro de Bazán was born into a noble naval family in 1526 in Cádiz, Spain. He rose through the ranks of the Spanish navy under Charles V and Philip II. Bazán commanded numerous successful campaigns against Ottoman and French forces in the Mediterranean. In recognition of his achievements, he was granted the title 1st Marquis of Santa Cruz. He is credited with advancements in naval tactics and ship design that shaped the future Spanish Armada. Throughout his career, he maintained an unbroken record of victories. His leadership solidified Spain’s maritime dominance in the 16th century.

Samuel Hood joined the Royal Navy in the early 1740s and fought in the War of the Austrian Succession and Seven Years’ War. He distinguished himself at battles such as Toulon and Ushant, earning rapid promotions. In 1782, Hood was made 1st Viscount Hood in recognition of his service. He later served as Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet during the French Revolutionary Wars. Hood also held a seat in the British House of Lords and briefly served as a Member of Parliament. Known for his strategic insight and calm leadership, he maintained a reputation as one of Britain’s foremost naval commanders. He died in 1816 at the age of 92, leaving a legacy honored by geographical names like Hood Canal in the United States.

Stand Watie was born in 1806 in present-day Georgia and became a prominent leader of the Cherokee Nation. He signed the controversial Treaty of New Echota in 1835, which led to the Trail of Tears and eventual relocation to Indian Territory. During the American Civil War, Watie joined the Confederacy and was commissioned as a brigadier general, making him the only Native American to hold such a rank. He led Watie’s Cavalry, conducting guerrilla raids against Union forces in the Trans-Mississippi Theater. His resilient tactics earned him respect on both sides, and he was the last Confederate general to surrender in 1865. After the war, he served in the Cherokee Senate and worked to rebuild his community. Watie died in 1871, remembered for his complex legacy as both a warrior and a tribal statesman.

Joseph O. Shelby was born in 1830 in Lexington, Missouri, and studied law before the outbreak of the Civil War. He organized Shelby’s Iron Brigade and led its cavalry in numerous raids across Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas, disrupting Union supply lines. Notable for his bold tactics, he fought at battles such as Lexington and completed a remarkable raid to the Ohio River. When the Confederacy collapsed, Shelby refused to surrender and led his men to Mexico to continue fighting or seek asylum. Many settled there in what became known as Shelby’s colony. His guerrilla warfare methods were studied by later military strategists. After returning to the United States in the 1870s, he resumed law practice. Shelby died in 1897, remembered as one of the most resourceful Confederate commanders.