Polish Generals Kosciuszko and Pulaski fought for the Americans in the Revolutionary War
“The strong U.S.-Poland relationship and shared commitment to freedom date back to the American Revolution, when Polish heroes such as Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Casimir Pulaski aided the American cause,” Sec of State Mike Pompeo in Poland
General Casimir Pulaski was born on March 6, 1745, in Warsaw, Poland. In 1777 he came to America to fight on the American side in the Revolutionary War. He commanded a group of cavalry which was formed in 1778 [1] known as Pulaski’s Legion, and he is remembered as the “Father of American Cavalry.” He died on October 11, 1779 from wounds suffered at the Battle of Savannah, Georgia.
This is one of several sites honoring General Pulaski in New Jersey. There are three other monuments honoring him in the state: one in Garfield, one in Paterson and one in Wallington. In addition to these, there is a sidewalk plaque in North Arlington honoring Pulaski, and the Pulaski Skyway is named for him.
In 2009 Pulaski was made an Honorary Citizen of the United States. [2]Honorary Citizenship has rarely been granted; only eight people in the entire history of the United States have received it. Two of the others who have received Honorary Citizenship were also European officers who fought for the American side in the Revolutionary War: Marquis Lafayette of France, and Bernardo de Gálvez of Spain. [3]
Born in Poland in 1746, Thaddeus Kościuszko was an officer and talented military engineer who came to America in 1776 to fight on the American side in the Revolutionary War.
Kościuszko’s first assignment in America was in New Jersey: the fortifications at Fort Billingsport. He also worked on the fortifications at Fort Mercer on the Delaware River. [4]
U.S.-Poland Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement State.gov
– U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, February 12, 2019
POLAND IS A CLOSE FRIEND OF THE UNITED STATES AND A LINCHPIN OF REGIONAL SECURITY
- The U.S.-Poland relationship is strong and getting stronger. We are fellow democracies, with a deep commitment to the rule of law, human rights, and individual freedom.
- Warsaw has been a strong NATO Ally since its accession to the Alliance in 1999, and serves as a linchpin of regional security. Poland is a crucial strategic U.S. Ally in Central Europe. Polish troops stand shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. forces in Afghanistan and elsewhere, and provide critical support to the Defeat-ISIS Campaign.
- The United States leads the enhanced Forward Presence battle group in Poland and deploys a rotational Armored Brigade Combat Team under Operation Atlantic Resolve, funded through the European Deterrence Initiative.
THE U.S.-POLAND EDCA PROVIDES THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR OUR COUNTRIES TO WORK TOGETHER
- The EDCA reflects the shared vision outlined in the joint declarations signed by Presidents Trump and Duda in 2019, and reaffirmed during President Duda’s June 2020 visit to Washington, to deepen our defense cooperation.
- The EDCA supplements the 1951 NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and establishes a framework to enhance and modernize our capabilities, in support of the NATO Alliance’s collective defense. The United States has similar agreements with other NATO Allies such as Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania.
- The EDCA outlines the legal status of U.S. forces in Poland and will provide the necessary authorities for U.S. forces to access specific Polish military installations and conduct activities for our mutual defense. This Agreement also supports expanded infrastructure, and enables an increased U.S. military presence in Poland.
THE U.S.-POLAND EDCA WILL STRENGTHEN NATO AND INCREASE TRANSATLANTIC SECURITY FOR DECADES TO COME
- The EDCA provides a mechanism for the sharing of logistical and infrastructure costs for U.S. forces present in Poland. By creating a durable framework for even closer defense cooperation with a crucial NATO Ally, it strengthens Eastern Flank security and deterrence.
- Poland’s in-kind contributions under the EDCA will directly benefit the Polish economy. For its part, the United States will continue to bear the costs of training, equipping, and deploying U.S. forces to Poland, which is significantly higher than the cost of support Poland invests in support of U.S. forces once they are in country. Together, these efforts improved security and stability for both nations in a cost-effective way.
- The United States and Poland’s extensive coordination and consultation on defense cooperation matters will be strengthened and streamlined by the EDCA.