Casimir Pulaski

Kazimierz Michał Władysław Wiktor Pułaski of Ślepowron coat of arms (Polish pronunciation: [kaˈʑimʲɛʂ puˈwaskʲi]; English: Casimir Pulaski; March 6, 1745 – October 11, 1779) was a Polish nobleman, soldier and military commander who has been called with his fellow Hungarian friend Michael Kovats de Fabriczy "the fathers of the American cavalry".

Born in Warsaw and following in his father's footsteps he became interested in politics at an early age and soon became involved in the military and the revolutionary affairs in Poland (the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth). Pulaski was one of the leading military commanders for the Bar Confederation and fought against Russian domination of the Commonwealth. When this uprising failed, he was driven into exile. Following a recommendation by Benjamin Franklin, Pulaski emigrated to North America to help in the cause of the American Revolutionary War. He distinguished himself throughout the revolution, most notably when he saved the life of George Washington. Pulaski became a general in the Continental Army, created the Pulaski Cavalry Legion and reformed the American cavalry as a whole. At the Battle of Savannah, while leading a daring charge against British forces, he was gravely wounded, and died shortly thereafter.