In 1777, a passionate young French aristocrat named Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, known as Marquis de Lafayette, set sail for America at just 19 years old.
Motivated by the revolutionary ideals of freedom and equality, he joined the Continental Army and quickly became a close ally of George Washington.
Despite his lack of initial pay and command, Lafayette’s bravery and leadership shone through, as he rose to the rank of major general, even after being wounded at the nearby Battle of the Brandywine. Lafayette faced several other battles and skirmishes and was with Washington during the harsh winter of 1777-78 in Valley Forge.
Time and again Lafayette proved he was America’s best friend. He helped Washington when an internal threat to remove him from command was attempted by Conway Cabal. In 1779, he returned to France and was able to secure 6,000 French troops for the American cause. With Lafayette’s news of French support American morale greatly improved.
Lafayette’s determination and strategic prowess culminated in 1781, when he played a crucial role in the Siege of Yorktown, leading to the British surrender and marking a pivotal moment in the American Revolutionary War, effectively ending the war.