December 16

Robert Bertie was born in 1582 into a prominent Lincolnshire family and created Earl of Lindsey in 1626. A staunch Royalist, he commanded the king's army at the first pitched battle of the English Civil War in 1642. Despite initial success, he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Edgehill and died shortly after. Bertie's military leadership marked the beginning of a brutal conflict between monarchy and parliament. His dedication to loyal service made him a revered figure among Royalists and a symbol of aristocratic duty. His death precipitated further escalation in the civil war and cemented his place in military history.

Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher was a Prussian field marshal renowned for his crucial role in the Napoleonic Wars. Nicknamed ‘Marshal Forward’ for his aggressive tactics, he commanded Allied forces alongside the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo. Blücher’s timely intervention turned the tide against Napoleon, leading to the emperor’s final defeat. He rose through the ranks during the War of the Fourth Coalition and became a national hero in Prussia. His steadfast determination and bold command style cemented his reputation as one of history’s most celebrated military leaders.

Anton Denikin was born in 1872 into a noble family and graduated from the Mikhailov Artillery Academy. He distinguished himself in the Russo-Japanese War and World War I as an officer in the Imperial Russian Army. Following the 1917 Revolution, Denikin emerged as a leading general of the White Army in southern Russia. He led major offensives against the Bolsheviks and controlled key territories before suffering defeat. In exile, he wrote memoirs analyzing the civil war and warning of Soviet consolidation. Denikin's military leadership and writings influenced anti-communist movements until his death in 1947.

Born in 1888 in French Algeria, Juin rose through the French Army to become one of its most respected commanders. During World War II, he led the French Expeditionary Corps in Italy, executing daring mountain warfare that earned him widespread acclaim. Promoted to Marshal of France in 1952, he later served as Chief of the Defence Staff and Inspector General of the Army. His strategic acumen was noted for blending armor, infantry, and artillery in coordinated offensives. Juin’s legacy includes both military innovation and his contributions to France’s colonial military administration.

Born in 1889 in present-day North Korea, Kim Chwa-chin dedicated his life to Korean liberation from Japanese occupation. He founded the Righteous Army, mobilizing peasants and intellectuals in guerrilla warfare across Manchuria. A firm believer in self-governance, he also promoted local agricultural cooperatives to empower rural communities. Despite tensions among various independence factions, Kim’s leadership united many groups under a common cause. His assassination in 1930 cut short his plans, but his legacy endured in Korea’s eventual path to independence.

Bill Young was an American politician and military veteran known for his remarkable tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War before entering politics. First elected in 1970, Young went on to represent Florida's 10th and later 13th districts for over four decades. He chaired key committees on appropriations and defense, shaping national budget and military policy. His dedication to public service made him one of the longest-serving members in congressional history.

Born in 1941, Sir Roger Neil Wheeler embarked on a career in the British Army, commissioning into the Royal Artillery. He rose through the ranks with key commands including the First Armoured Division and NATO's Allied Forces Northern Europe. In 1993, he was appointed Chief of the General Staff, the professional head of the British Army, leading modernization efforts and strategic reviews. During his tenure, he oversaw operations in the Balkans and contributed to the army's adaptation to post-Cold War challenges. After retiring in 1997, he continued to advise on defense matters and held senior positions in defense-related organizations.