Biographies

Hermann von Francois

One of the most aggressive commanders in the German Imperial Army, Hermann von Francois clashed with nearly every immediate superior he had. Twice decorated with the Pour le Merite, he would be forced out by his rival Ludendorff shortly before the end of the Great War.

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William Westmoreland

The second commander of the Military Assistance Command - Vietnam (MACV) was also its most famous, serving in the position during the Tet Offensive of 1968 before being promoted to Army Chief of Staff, although his legacy in Vietnam remains controversial.

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Tamon Yamaguchi

Entering service just in time for the Great War, Tamon Yamaguchi would go on to become one of Japan’s best carrier commanders. He would take part in the Pearl Harbor Attack in late 1941, but would lose his life months later, choosing to go down with his flagship at the conclusion of the disastrous Battle of Midway.

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Jimmy Doolittle

One of the most famous figures in the history of American aviation, and the leader of the famous Doolittle Raid on Japan in 1942, Jimmy Doolittle was a pioneer of various flight techniques as well as a skilled and daring pilot.

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Ngô Quang Trưởng

Regarded by many as perhaps the best commander in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, Ngo Quang Truong led ARVN forces in the Battle of Hue during the Tet Offensive, as well as in the final campaigns as the South Vietnamese government collapsed in 1975.

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William Simpson

The commander of the US 9th Army in the Second World War, William Hood Simpson was very popular with his men, fellow officers and allies, gaining accolades from such men as Dwight D. Eisenhower and Bernard Montgomery.

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William Halsey

“Bull” Halsey was the famously aggressive commander of the US Third Fleet during the Second World War. An early proponent of the value of naval air power, he would command carriers when the war began, and would be present for the signing of the Japanese surrender in 1945.

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Husband Kimmel

The US Admiral known for his command during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor had reached his position as Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet after a long career, including service in the Mexican intervention of 1914 and the First World War. Many would consider him to be a scapegoat for the attack in 1941, which cost him his command and ended his naval career.

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Walter Model

The general known as Hitler’s Fireman, Field Marshal Walter Model distinguished himself as an offensive commander of panzer forces during Operation Barbarossa, but would be best known for later becoming a defensive commander capable of salvaging some of the worst situations on the front. Facing conviction for war crimes if captured, he would commit suicide as the Third Reich collapsed.

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John Pershing

Commander of the American Expeditionary Force in the First World War as well as the leader of the punitive expedition into Mexico against Pancho Villa, “Black Jack” Pershing famously refused to allow American troops to be used as replacements in Allied armies, insisting that they remained as their own force.

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Victoriano Huerta

Often considered one of the greatest villians in the history of Mexico, General Victoriano Huerta toppled the newly established democratic government of Francisco Madero in 1913 and established a dictatorship until he was ousted by rebellion just over a year later.

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