The Marquis de Lafayette was a young French aristocrat who joined the American cause and became a major general at 19.
He was wounded at Brandywine, helped win the alliance with France and played a key role at Yorktown.
Honored by America
Many towns and counties are named for Lafayette, and Congress made him an honorary U.S. citizen in 2002.
Pin Tip
Visit Lafayette Square across from the White House in Washington, D.C.