Among those who excelled at military strategy was Khaalid ibn AlWaleed

“The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, sent the army of commanders [for the Battle of Mu’tah], and said: ‘Zayd ibn Haarithah is your commander; if Zayd is killed, then Ja`far takes over, and if Ja`far is killed, then `Abdullaah ibn Rawaahah Al-Ansaari takes over.’ Ja`far stood and said: ‘May my father and mother be sacrificed or you, I did not expect that you would appoint Zayd over me.” The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, replied: ‘Proceed, because you do not know which is better for you.’ The army proceeded as much as Allah Willed, then the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, stood on the pulpit and ordered that the people be called to prayer. Then he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘I received good news, or something good happened. Should I not tell you about your army that has gone to war? They proceeded until they met the enemy, and Zayd was killed as a martyr, so ask Allah to forgive him.’ The people asked Allah to forgive him, then he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, continued: ‘Then Ja`far ibn Abu Taalib took the flag and was very severe against the enemy, until he was killed as a martyr, so ask Allah to forgive him. Then, `Abdullaah ibn Rawaahah took the flag and was firm until he was martyred, so ask Allah to forgive him. Then, Khaalid ibn Al-Waleed took the flag, and he was not one of the commanders, but he put himself in that position.’ Then he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, raised his two fingers and said: ‘O Allah, he is one of Your swords, so grant him victory, or grant victory through him.’ Since then, he was called Khaalid the Sword of Allah. Then the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Go and help your brothers; none shall stay behind.’ So the people went forth in extreme heat, walking, and riding their beasts.”