Famous war hero, Celebrity Birthdays

Catholic saint who disguised herself as a man and led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War. After being captured by the Burgundians, she was burned at the stake for heresy when she was 19 years old. Actress <a title='Ingrid Bergman' href='/famous/ingrid-bergman.htm'>Ingrid Bergman</a> portrayed her in a 1948 <a title='Victor Fleming' href='/famous/victor-fleming.htm'>Victor Fleming</a> film.

Soldier and statesman during the American Revolutionary War who became known for his criticism of slavery. He was portrayed by <a title='Anthony Ramos' href='/famous/anthony-ramos-stageactor.htm'>Anthony Ramos</a> in the acclaimed musical Hamilton.

Paul Revere was an American industrialist and a Patriot in the American Revolution, who devised an intelligence and alarm system to alert the Colonial militia of a British invasion. By profession, he was a silversmith and an engraver. His social position as a middle-class craftsman and his close contact with other social groups might have helped him in such matters. He also drew the attention of the public by various engravings such as the arrival of British troops in 1778, Boston Massacre of 1770 etc. Indeed, he was a successful propagandist and an organizer. At the same time, his activities were not limited to that alone. He also took active part in the Boston Tea Party that escalated the American Revolution. His mid night ride to Lexington on April 18, 1775 has been immortalized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, ˜Paul Revere's Ride'. After the war, he went back to his profession and made a lot of money by producing articles of mass consumption. He then used the profit to set up a metal casting furnace and produce bronze bells, canons and copper bolts and spikes. Thus he became one of the early industrialists of the United States of America.

Christopher Scott Kyle, better known as Chris Kyle, was a ˜US Navy SEAL' veteran. He served in the American war against Iraq on four different occasions. He received numerous commendations and medals for his heroic acts and bravery exhibited during the combat. In 2009, Chris received an honourable discharge from the Navy. He then released his autobiography titled ˜American Sniper,' which was later adapted into a movie. In 2013, he was shot dead by a former Marine named Eddie Ray Routh near a shooting range in Texas. His untimely death, at the age of 38, came across as a shock to many.

French war hero who was a military officer and served as a general in the American Revolutionary War. He was also a leader of the Garde nationale during the French Revolution.

Immortalized as the ˜King of the Wild Frontier', Davy Crockett is one of the most celebrated and notable figures in American history. He is fondly remembered as the legendary and heroic partaker in the Texas War of Independence. This 19th century American frontiersman, soldier and politician also served in the Creek War. A born leader, Crockett represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives. Many years after his death, he continues to be a subject of many heroic and legendary stories in America. He is a well-known and publicly adored figure, especially in Texas, where there is a town named after him. His martyrdom, for the cause of the independence of Texas, inspired countless Texans to come to the battlefield and fight for the cause of independence. Remembered as the legend of the American frontier, Crockett has been popularized by the countless number of movies, plays and other 20th century television dramas and that has made him one of the most revered figures in American legacy. One of America's greatest real-life legends, Crockett is, even today, one of the most enduring symbols of the Old West.

Combat medic of the United States Army during World War II who distinguished himself during the Battle of Okinawa. He saved 75 wounded infantrymen while refusing to kill an enemy soldier or carry a weapon into combat due to his Seventh-day Aventist beliefs.

Louis Zamperini was an Olympic athlete and a US prisoner of war survivor (World War II), who later became a Christian evangelist. Being born into a non-English speaking family in the United States of America started out as a struggle for Louis Zamperini. However, he overcame the difficulties and neglect from his peers through focusing on running. His interest towards running led to his enrolment in the school track team. An outstanding performer in long distance running, Louis Zamperini went on to compete the 1936 Summer Olympics and had planned to compete in the 1940 Olympic Games as well. However with the onset of the World War II, the games were cancelled and he enrolled into the US Army Air Corps. He was in a plane that crashed into the Pacific Ocean and though he survived the crash, he was taken prisoner of war by the Japanese army. Louis Zamperini was released after the war ended two years later. Upon his return to the United States, he began his career as a Christian evangelist. His life has been an inspiration to many and a number of books, documentaries and feature films have been based upon his life story.

John Brown was a noted American radical abolitionist who detested slavery and believed that the only way to get rid of it was armed insurgency. This is contrary to the belief of the Northerners who were proponents of peaceful resistance. Five pro-slavery men were killed by John Brown and his supporters during the Kansas conflict. The incident was referred to as the ˜Pottawatomie massacre'. John Brown led anti-slavery forces during the ˜Battle of Black jack' and ˜Battle of Osawatomie'. These are two such incidents in the series of altercations between anti-slavery forces and pro-slavery men which were referred as ˜Bleeding Kansas' and considered a conducive cause that led to the American Civil War. He led an unsuccessful raid at the Harpers Ferry to seize weapons from the federal armoury of the United States which resulted in capture of the multi-racial group. He was tried for treachery against the Commonwealth of Virginia, convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. His effort to initiate a liberation movement against slavery stirred the country. He soon became a martyr in the eyes of those who sought to eliminate slavery from America. The Southerners viewed his rebellion as representation of wishes of the Republican Party to end slavery and feared such rebellion put their lives in danger.

Pancho Villa is one of the greatest revolutionary leaders in world history. He was born in a working-class family, and after the death of his father, he shouldered the responsibilities of his family. He worked to earn a living and also acted protective of his sister. He apparently killed one of the estate owners as that person harassed his sister. He had to go underground to prevent imprisonment and when he was in the mountains, hiding from authorities, he met a group of bandits and joined them. He stole cattle and sold them to earn money. Eventually, he was captured and forcefully recruited into the army, which was a preventive measure taken by the then president Porfirio Díaz, to keep a check on increasing guerrilla movements. However, he escaped from the army and again continued his life as a fugitive. One of the political leader who was opposed to the president, understood Villa's potential as a leader and advised him to use his strengths to overthrow dictatorial Díaz, which in turn will help the Mexicans. Pancho had a democratic ideology and did as he was suggested. Ever since then he worked for the welfare of his people and acquired a reputation as that of Robin Hood of the contemporary age

Geronimo was one of most well-known Apache leaders and a medicine man who rose against the American and Mexican imperial forces during the long war in the second half of the 19th century. Born in Turkey Creek, New Mexico, he belonged to the Bedonkohe band of the Apache tribes. He joined the rebellion against the American and Mexican military forces that were determined to oust the natives from their lands. Although he was a well-known warrior among the Apache tribes, he was never their chief. He fought most fights as a subordinate leader, with about 30 to 50 men under his command. Despite that, on many occasions, he led hundreds of men and women into war. His tactical skills and bravery played a major role in the embarrassment faced by the strong military forces of the US and Mexico, dominated by Anglo“Americans. Between 1876 and 1886, Geronimo surrendered three times and was sent to the Apache reservations in Arizona. However, he resented it and escaped thrice. He had become a celebrity by then and was treated with respect by the American generals when he was finally imprisoned. In 1909, he died at the ˜Fort Sill Hospital' in Oklahoma, US.

Patrick Henry, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, was a great orator, a successful lawyer, respected statesman and a planter. He began his career as a lawyer and made his name while appearing in the Parson's Cause trial in early 1760s. Within two years, he was elected to the House of Burgesses, where he successfully steered the Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions. Soon, he became known for his radical opposition to the British governance. That he could communicate his political ideologies in a language that the common people could understand earned him great distinction. However, he is best remembered for the speech he gave at the Virginia Convention, where he urged his fellow delegates to join the war of independence in strong but passionate terms. Later, he was appointed a colonel of the 1st Virginia Regiment and then the first post colonial Governor of Virginia. Initially he opposed the United States Constitution because he believed that the rights of the States as well as the freedom of individuals were not addressed in it, but later supported President John Adams and became instrumental in the adoption of the Bill of Rights.

American Revolutionary War hero whose last words were: "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country."

Born Mary Ludwig, she is widely credited as "Molly Pitcher" for bringing water to soldiers at the Battle of Monmouth during the American Revolutionary War. There is also a belief that "Molly Pitcher" references a collective of women.

Scottish-born sailor who fought in key naval battles during the American Revolution.

Revolutionary War heroine who dressed as a man and successfully served in the Continental Army for more than 17 months.

Wars connote bloodshed, despair and devastation. However, the soldiers who survive these wars signify pride, honour and courage. Not to mention, there are fewer soldiers who fight with such conviction for their country that they are remembered even after their death. Audie Murphy was one such U.S. soldier who is remembered for his courage and selflessness during World War II. He went through a tough childhood and after the loss of his parents, found solace in the armed services which gave him an income to run his family and also gave him an opportunity to serve his country. A young Murphy showed extreme courage after he was selected into the U.S. Armed forces. Though very young, he was fearless and proved his mettle by vanquishing German soldiers and escaping death nearly three times during the war. Throughout his career, he earned numerous awards and medals, including the prestigious ˜Medal of Honor'. After retiring from the army, he chose films as a medium to share his experiences and appeared in the autobiographical film, ˜To Hell and Back'. He suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and died in plane crash, after serving as an epitome of courage and patriotism throughout his life, inspiring many of his countrymen.

Erwin Rommel, better known as ˜The Desert Fox', was a German Army general who served in World War I and World War II. He served under Hitler and was one of the Fürher's most trusted and appreciated men. His tactics and sneaky but precise attacks on the enemy and his command of the tanks had earned him the title of ˜Der Wüstenfuchs' or ˜The Desert Fox'. He is often described as an artist in his own right with the tank as his medium. He was implicated in a plot to kill Hitler, which he apparently was unaware of. Given a choice between defamation, which would lead to a painful death or taking the cyanide pill, Rommel chose the latter. It was told that he died from wounds he sustained in the attacks. The nature of his death and his part in the plot to assassinate Hitler is a subject of interest amongst scholars. Also, whether he favored Nazi ideologies is still unclear. He is still celebrated by the Germans as a war hero unlike many other prominent Germans.

Oregon Army National Guardsman specialist who was awarded the United States Army Soldier's Medal by President <a title='Barack Obama' href='/famous/barack-obama.htm'>Barack Obama</a> and the Legion of Honour from French president <a title='Francois Hollande' href='/famous/francois-hollande.htm'>Francois Hollande</a> in his efforts to stop a gunman on a Paris-bound train. He became a competitor on the 21st season of Dancing with the Stars.

Thomas Jonathan Jackson, better known as Stonewall Jackson, was a famous ˜Confederate' general who served during the American Civil War. He was primarily raised by his uncle after both his parents died. He was mostly self-educated due to a paucity of finances. He joined the ˜United States Military Academy' at West Point and was soon commissioned as a second lieutenant in the ˜1st US Artillery Regiment' that was deployed in the Mexican“American War. He earned the nickname ˜Stonewall' at the First Battle of Bull Run, during the American Civil War, when his brigade stood their ground, while the rest of the ˜Confederate' lines began to crumble. His success is attributed to the strict discipline and the bold manoeuvers with which he surprised and exploited the weaknesses of his adversaries. His first wife died during child birth, and he later married Mary Anna Morrison. They had a daughter, Mary Graham, who died a few days after her birth. Their second daughter was named Julia Laura, after his mother and sister. While returning from the Battle of Chancellorsville, he was fired upon in a case of mistaken identity and received bullet injuries, due to which his left arm had to be amputated. He started showing signs of pneumonia during his treatment and died of complications eight days after he was shot. Stonewall Jackson is considered to be one of the most accomplished generals of the ˜Confederate Army.' The ˜Stonewall Jackson State Park' in West Virginia is named after him.

Douglas MacArthur was an iconic figure in American military history and is till date, revered as a symbol of military excellence. Often popularly known as the ˜American Caesar', MacArthur was one of the greatest war heroes of the United States of America. He served in the World War I, World War II, and Korean War and played a crucial role in The Pacific War. Born to a U.S. Army captain, Arthur MacArthur, Jr., he graduated as a top-ranking cadet from the United States Military Academy and began his career in the Army Corps of Engineers. A brilliant military strategist, MacArthur earned more than 100 military decorations both in the U.S and internationally in his lifetime. Some of his momentous decorations include, Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath from Australia, the French Légion d'honneur and Croix de guerre and the Order of the Crown of Italy. He served as the General of the U.S. Army, Field Marshall of the Philippine Army and as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army.

Four-star United States Army general and iconic commander who led a succession of victorious attacks in Italy, France, and Germany during World War II.

U.S. Navy admiral who served during the Civil War and defeated the Confederate fleet in the Battle of Mobile Bay.

General of the United States Army who oversaw all American aviation combat in France during World War I.