10 of the Most Influential Military Leaders

George Washington (1732-1799)
Commander of the American Continental Army and the first president of the United States.


General Patton (1885-1945)
George Patton credited for introducing armored warfare in the US Army during World War II. He never suffered a major defeat in World War II.


Heihachiro Togo (1848-1934)
Japanese Admiral led his country to victory in the Russia-Japanese War of 1904-1905. He not only won the war, but he also brought Japan to the status of world power.


Dwight David Eisenhower (1890-1969)
He commanded the largest multinational ever. And he was in charge of more than 4 million men during World War II.


Adolf Hilter (1889-1945)
The German Dicator that conquered the large areas of Europe, Asia, and Africa. He initiated World War II, leading to over 35 million deaths.


H. Norman Schwarzkopf (1934- )
Commander Schwarzkopf led the coalition forces that defeated Iraq and liberated Kuwait in Operation Desert Shield/Storm from 1990-1991.


Vo Nguyen Giap (1912- )
Giap developed the strategy that defeated the French, Americans, and South Vietnamese. Known as the master of modern guerilla warfare.


Saddam Hussein(1937-2006)
As Iraqi Marshal and during the presidency of Iraq, he exercised complete control over his country. He has long considered himself the most powerful man in Iraq, before his presidency in 1979.


Joan of Arc (1412-1431)
A young French peasant girl, believed to be of witchcraft lead an army to victory over Orleans and drove the English army out of her country.


Sun Tzu (400-330 B.C.)
This Chinese writer wrote the Chinese Ping-fa which is known as "The Art of War". The twenty thousand word treatise, divided into thirteen chapters is compiled of military theory and strategy. This book has provided major doctrine for Chinese warfare and great influence on the Japanese.