Brigadier General Strong Vincent, b. 17 June 1837, was a lawyer in Erie, Pennsylvania, before the American Civil War broke out.  By the time the Battle of Gettysburg began on July 1, 1863, he was a brigade commander in the Army of the Potomac, and his decisive actions on July 2nd led to the preservation of the Union line— and to a promotion from colonel to brigadier general, although the honor turned out to be posthumous.  He was mortally wounded during the fight, passing away five days later on July 7th at the age of 26.  His wife Elizabeth, whom he had wed on the same day he enlisted, was expecting their first child at the time.

Erie’s my hometown, so he’s got local-hero allure for me, as well as his war heroism appealing to my interest in history (specifically in the Battle of Gettysburg).  Throw in the fact that he was lovely, and I’ve had a crush on him since I was a kid! ;)