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Freidich Wilhelm von Steuben Birth: November 15th, 1730 Duchy of Magdeburg Death: November 28th, 1794 Vocation: army officer Allegiance: Prussia, American Continental Army Accomplishment: Writing the Revolutionary War Drill Manual Fredich Wilhelm von Steuben was born in the Duchy of Magdeburg,a Prussian province to Wilhelm Augustin Steuben, a lieutenant and Elizabeth von Jagvodin. He was educated by the Jesuit order and joined the Prussian military as a young man. During the Seven Years' War, von Steuben served as a staff member for a Prussian infantry unit. He rose to the rank of captain before the war ended. Steuben spent several years serving in various roles. In 1777, the French Minister of War, Claude Louis, Comte de Saint-Germain introduced Steuben to Benjamin Franklin. Franklin referred Steuben to General George Washington. In February 1778, Steuben reported for duty to Washington at Valley Forge.

Washington was in desperate need to retrain and reorganize his troops. With the help of Alexander Hamilton and Nathanael Greene, Steuben was able to put together a training program that worked. After training a model company, Steuben was able to use the newly trained men to train others. He was able to instill discipline and unity of action on a group of free republican individuals. He worked with the men on shooting and the use of the bayonet. He also helped to improve camp layout and organization.

Steuben's efforts resulted in immediate victories at Stony Point, Barren Hill, and Monmouth. This led to his writing "Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States" also called the Blue Book. In the spring of 1781, Steuben assisted Nathanael Greene in the south and commanded a division at Yorktown.

After the war and the transition to peace was over, Steuben became an American citizen and received a pension. He settled on land granted to him in New York state. Fredich Wilhelm von Steuben died on November 28th, 1794.