Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr.

Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr. was born on July 18, 1886, and rose to prominence as a lieutenant general in the United States Army during World War II. His military career was marked by significant leadership roles, particularly in the Pacific Theater, where he commanded American-Canadian forces in the Aleutian Islands campaign.

As the commanding general of the Alaska Defense Command, Buckner played a crucial role in pivotal battles such as the Battle of Attu and the Kiska Expedition. His strategic acumen and leadership led to his promotion to command the Tenth Army, where he orchestrated the amphibious invasion of Okinawa in 1945.

Tragically, Buckner's life was cut short during the final days of the Battle of Okinawa when he was killed by enemy artillery fire. This loss made him the highest-ranking United States military officer to die from enemy fire during the conflict.

In recognition of his service, Buckner, along with fellow lieutenant generals Lesley J. McNair, Frank Maxwell Andrews, and Millard Harmon, was posthumously promoted to the rank of four-star general on July 19, 1954, by a Special Act of Congress, solidifying his legacy in American military history.