Casimir Pulaski

Casimir Pulaski
Native name	Kazimierz Pułaski
Born	March 4 or (1745-03-06)March 6, 1745[a] Warsaw, Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
Died	October 11, 1779(1779-10-11) (aged 34) Thunderbolt, Georgia, U.S.
Buried	Monterey Square, Savannah, Georgia
Allegiance	Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth  United States
Service/branch	Army of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Continental Army
Years of service	1762–1779
Rank	Brigadier general
Unit	Pulaski's Legion
Battles/wars	War of the Bar Confederation Battle of Orzechowo American Revolutionary War Battle of Brandywine Battle of Germantown Affair at Little Egg Harbor Siege of Savannah †
Signature
Coat of arms

Kazimierz Michał Władysław Wiktor Pułaski (Polish pronunciation: [kaˈʑimjɛʐ puˈwaskʲi] ^ⓘ; anglicized Casimir Pulaski /ˈkæ.zɪ.ˌmɪər pəˈlæ.skiː/; March 4 or March 6, 1745^[1]  – October 11, 1779) was a Polish nobleman,^[b] soldier, and military commander who has been called "The Father of American cavalry" or "The Soldier of Liberty".^[5]

Born in Warsaw and following in his father's footsteps, he became interested in politics at an early age. He soon became involved in the military and in revolutionary affairs in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Pulaski was one of the leading military commanders for the Bar Confederation and fought against the Commonwealth's foreign domination. When this uprising failed, he was driven into exile.

Following a recommendation by Benjamin Franklin, Pulaski traveled to North America to help in 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, and he and his friend, Michael Kovats, created the Pulaski Cavalry Legion and reformed the American cavalry as a whole. At the siege of Savannah, while leading a cavalry charge against British forces, he was fatally wounded by grapeshot and died shortly after.

Pulaski is remembered as a hero who fought for independence and freedom in Poland and the United States. Numerous places and events are named in his honor, and he is commemorated by many works of art. Pulaski is one of only eight people to be awarded honorary United States citizenship.

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