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Tadeusz Kosciuszko (1746-1817), Kosciuszko was a skilled engineer who came to offer services to the American colonies in their struggle for independence in 1776. He was commissioned as Colonel of Engineers by the Continental Congress and began his outstanding service of fortifying battle sites, many of which became turning points in America's fight for independence. When he was transferred to New York, he helped with fortifications along the Hudson and planned the defense for Saratoga. In 1778, Kosciuszko was made chief engineer of West Point, New York. In 1783, Kosciuszko was appointed Brigadier General and was awarded the Cincinnati Order Medal by General George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. Washington also presented Kosciuszko with two pistols and a sword as gifts for his outstanding service to America. Kosciuszko returned to Poland in 1784 to help his own country.
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