December 30

Born December 30 1760 in Saint-Hilaire-de-Loulay, Charles Sapinaud de La Rairie joined the royalist uprising in the Vendée in 1793. He quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the key commanders of the Catholic and Royal Army. Sapinaud was known for his strategic leadership in battles against Republican forces. He negotiated important local ceasefires that preserved royalist strength in western France. Surviving the turmoil of the Revolution and Napoleonic era, he remained a respected military figure. He retired to his estate and died in 1829, remembered as a steadfast royalist commander.

Born in Tokyo to a military family, Hideki Tōjō graduated from the Imperial Japanese Army Academy and served in various command positions. As a general, he took part in the invasion of Manchuria and rose through the ranks of the military leadership. Appointed Prime Minister in October 1941, he oversaw Japan's entry into World War II with the attack on Pearl Harbor. Tōjō directed wartime policy, military strategy, and government administration throughout the conflict. Following Japan's surrender, he was arrested, tried for war crimes by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, and executed in 1948. Tōjō remains a controversial figure, remembered for his authoritarian rule and role in Japan's wartime history.

Born in Veracruz, Adolfo Ruiz Cortines began his career as a military officer before entering politics with the Institutional Revolutionary Party. He served as governor of Veracruz and held various cabinet positions, including Secretary of the Treasury. Elected President in 1952, he implemented economic stabilization policies and promoted social welfare programs. Ruiz Cortines advanced women's suffrage in Mexico and oversaw infrastructural development across the country. His administration focused on anti-corruption measures and modest government spending. After leaving office, he remained an influential elder statesman until his death in 1973.

Joseph P. Hoar was a U.S. Marine Corps four-star general born in 1934. He served as Commander in Chief of United States Central Command from 1991 to 1994, overseeing military operations across the Middle East. A graduate of the Naval Academy, he played key roles in shaping post–Gulf War policy and military strategy. Known for his candid views, he later became a vocal commentator on defense and foreign policy. His leadership spanned Vietnam to the Gulf War era, earning respect for his dedication to service.

William Joseph Fallon was born on December 30, 1944, in East Orange, New Jersey. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1966 and served as a naval aviator flying F-8 Crusaders. Fallon held command of carrier strike groups and led U.S. Pacific Command from 2005 to 2007. In 2007, he was appointed Commander of U.S. Central Command, overseeing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he emphasized diplomatic engagement alongside military strategy. Known for his articulate approach to complex geopolitical issues, Fallon earned respect from allies and partners. He retired from active duty in 2008 after a distinguished career spanning more than four decades.