2 Polish Heroes Every American Should Know

(Left) Circa 1780: Polish patriot, statesman, and general Thaddeus Kosciuszko (1746–1817) served with the colonial forces during the American Revolution. (MPI/Getty Images) (Right) Circa 1775: Polish soldier and military commander Casimir Pulaski (1745–79). Kean Collection/Getty Images

Commentary

As a sixth grader some 60 years ago, I learned that two Polish heroes played prominent roles in the struggle to secure American independence from Great Britain—Casimir Pulaski and Thaddeus Kosciuszko. What they did for America left a deep impression on me and began a lifelong appreciation for Poland and things Polish.