NATO'S PRESENCE Infrastructure constructions funded by the ...

GENERAL THADDEUS KOŚCIUSZKO — A HERO OF THE U.S. WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

NEWS

JUNE 2021. NO 6 (37)

SPECIAL

NATO'S PRESENCE

SPUR RIDE — A VERY SPECIAL TRADITION OF THE U.S. CAVALRY

PORTUGUESE TROOPS TO DEPLOY TO LITHUANIA

I nfrastructure for the Rukla-based NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group equipment,

vehicles, maintenance and storing services has been designed. The project design in-cludes a new security post, command head-quarters, warehouses of different purposes, maintenance facility, etc. The procurement of contract work will be opened, including for Lithuanian companies, in June later this year.

It is the largest project undertaken to en-sure that the needs of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Lithuania are met that the Federal Ministry of Defence supports. On the basis of an agree-ment between the Lithuanian and the Ger-man Defence Ministries, the project is orga-nized and will be implemented by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).

"Our goal is to create flawless conditions for the deployment and training of our allies in Lithuania. We have a shared objective, that is to protect and deter any attempt or attack the territory of our state," Vice Minister of National Defence Vilius Semeška says.

The NSPA agency implements projects

of NATO allies, including the projects under the NATO Security Investment Programme. It guarantees top quality services and work, transparent procurement process, the invita-tions to tender are open to other NATO allies.

The worth of the Rukla project amounts to Eur 40 million. The larger portion of it is provided by the Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany. The Lithuanian Ministry of Na-tional Defence is financing water and electri-city supply installations, area preparation and other preparatory work.

"We deliver security. Lithuania and Ger-many are doing it for the good of our both countries and the whole Alliance. German investments in military infrastructure in Lithuania demonstrate that we do work and thinking for the long-term," said Ambassador of Germany to Lithuania HE Matthias Sonn.

The project in Rukla will result in build-ings of different purposes, constructions and utility networks, new grounds covers.

The successful tenderer will begin the con-structions in the fourth quarter of 2021 with the planned completion deadline until 2023.

Infrastructure constructions funded by the Germany

See page 3

CHIEF OF DEFENCE ATTENDED NATO AND EUROPEAN UNION MILITARY COMMITTEE MEETINGS

2 Lithuanian Military Digest

Content

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NEWSNEWS

IN SHORT

NATO'S PRESENCE

SPECIAL

SPUR RIDE — A VERY SPECIAL TRADITION OF THE U.S. CAVALRY................8

ORIGINS OF THE U.S. DRAGOON MODEL 1800 HELMET PLATE..........................................14

CERTIFICATION FIELD TRAINING EXERCISE IRON WOLF 2021-I...........................6

INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTIONS FUNDED BY THE GERMANY..........................1,3

CHIEF OF DEFENCE ATTENDED NATO AND EUROPEAN UNION MILITARY COMMITTEE MEETINGS.....................................2

PORTUGUESE TROOPS TO DEPLOY TO LITHUANIA................................................................3

EU CRRT PROVES ITS ABILITY TO SWIFTLY ASSIST A CYBERATTACK-HIT COUNTRY......4

WEAPONS OF THE FUTURE: TRENDS IN DRONE PROLIFERATION...................................5

GENERAL THADDEUS KOŚCIUSZKO — A HERO OF THE U.S. WAR OF INDEPENDENCE...................................................18

O n May 17–19 Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lt Gen Valdema-ras Rupšys attended the NATO Military Committee Chiefs of Defence Session and the European Union Military Com-

mittee meeting in Brussels (Belgium)."We discussed at NATO and EU Chiefs of Defence level issues and docu-

ments of strategic importance to the activity of the organisations over these days. The events were important for the organisations and member states alike. They give the opportunity for Chiefs of Defence to address agendas of their nations alongside NATO and EU agendas. We had an opportunity to discuss regional threats, measures of deterrence and defence and coopera-tion plans at a separate meeting with Chiefs of Defence of Estonia, Latvia and Poland," Chief of Defence of Lithuania said about the visit results.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg informed the CHODs about the oncoming NATO Allied Heads of State and Government Summit which would address the main issues of Alliance viability and development.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to gender aware-ness at tactical, operational and strategic levels of NATO performance. The discussion covered positions of command, national training prog-rammes on gender awareness, gender awareness advisory capacities, and integration of this aspect into all exercise and training events.

CHODs selected a new Chair of the Military Committee at the ses-sion, the duties will be carried out by Chief of the General Staff of the Bundesheer General Robert Brieger as of 1 June 2022. He will succeed General Claudio Graziano.

In a Strategic Compass update CHODs agreed that the political le-vel debate needed a military dimension and expertise. Chairman of the NATO Military Committee stressed at the NATO-EU cooperation ses-sion that it was necessary to use the opportunities opened by the concur-rent Strategic Compass and NATO 2030 updating to tighten the coope-ration between the two formats.

The NATO and EU Military Committees (French: Comité militaire) are the highest structures of military command. They form advice and recommendations in the area of the Common Security and Defence Po-licy and military missions and operations. The committees are formed by Chiefs of Defence of the member states and meet twice a year.

Information and photos courtesy: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_183563.htm

https://newsroom.consilium.europa.eu/

Chief of Defence attended NATO and European Union Military Committee meetings

3June 2021. No 6.

News

Infrastructure constructions funded by the GermanyLithuania has carried out national defence

projects through the NSPA before as well. In the second half of this year the projects for the largest extension of Pabradė Training Area is planned to be announced. It will be financed both, from NATO and the national defence funds. The worth of its first phase will amount to approx. Eur 60 million.

Also, a project for overhaul of the Šiauliai Air Base platform will be announced in the second

semester of this year. It will be financed under the NATO Security Investment Programme.

"Quality requirements for all of these pro-jects will be particularly high, we plan to seek expertise from foreign professional and labora-tories," says V. Semeška.

The NSPA is the main public procurement platform used by defence authorities of NATO allies for acquisition of different goods and services. The NSPA has over 10 thousand sup-pliers in its database.

Germany is the framework nation of the NATO eFP Battle Group deployed in Rukla. The international unit is at any point manned by approx. 1.2 thousand allied military person-nel. Currently its manpower is provided by Belgium, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Norway, and Luxembourg, aside from Ger-many.

MoD informationPhoto credit: Sgt Spc 1st Class I. Budzeikaitė

From page 1

soldiers of the Portu-guese Navy will de-ploy to Lithuania for

three months of training in the beginning of June. Their presence in Lithuania will be part of the NATO Assurance Measures in-troduced to strengthen deterrence and de-fence against the threats facing the Allies. 140 marines and 6 Navy divers will be train-ing with subordinate units of the Lithuanian

Motorized Infantry Brigade Griffin."Portugal has been contributing rotatio-

nal forces to Lithuania since 2015. It is an im-portant demonstration of solidarity through contribution to deterrence and defence in the eastern flank of NATO. Portugal actively takes part in the NATO Assurance Measures with marine rotations and air force detach-ments sent to conduct the NATO Air Poli-cing Mission in the Baltic States," says Minis-

ter of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas.Four F-16 fighter aircraft and 85 airmen

of the Portuguese Air Force are deploying to Lithuania in early June as well. From June to September Portuguese troops will be enhanc-ing the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Bal-tic States conducted by Spain and Italy since the beginning of May.

MoD informationPhoto credit: Laura Jokšaitė

Portuguese troops to deploy to Lithuania


News

O n May 19–27 cyber exercise Alar-mex 2021 took place in Lithuania and Poland: the European Union

Cyber Rapid Response Team (CRRT) was activated to assist in a fictitious scenario of a large-scale cyberattack hitting diplomatic mis-sions across several EU member states.

"Exercise Alarmex 2021 was executed in un-usual conditions, COVID-19 related risks had to be managed as well, however, the objectives have been achieved — the decision-making has been tested, CRRT deployment and incident management have been executed," Vice Minis-ter of National Defence Margiris Abukevičius said about the exercise.

Vice Minister underscored that that the cy-ber threats of today are complex, potentially disruptive and affect several countries at the same time. "Exercise Alarmex 2021 has shown the EU CRRTs are a critically important and fully operational instrument for swift detec-tion, recognition and mitigation of cyber in-cidents. This exercise has proven that the first of the kind in the EU, multilaterally formed

CRRT has reached full operational capability," said M. Abukevičius.

The objective of Exercise Alarmex 2021 was to test the multilateral decision-making process and the ability of CRRTs to effectively manage a complex cross-border cyber incident target-ing diplomatic bodies across several EU coun-tries.

As the Alarmex 2021 scenario goes, a EU member states suffers a large-scale cyber-attack on its embassy network requests assistance. Within 24 hours, the countries forming the CRRT takes a political decision to activate the CRRT and it expeditiously deploys on the ground to mitigate the cyber incidents in Lithuania and Poland.

The EU CRRTs are formed by six mem-ber states — Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania. Poland leads the rotation of the Lithuanian-coordi-nated PESCO project this year. The techni-cal part of the exercise was arranged by the Dutch Defense Cyber Security Center and the Cyber Security Lab of the Institute of

Computer Science of Vilnius University.The Cyber Rapid Response Teams develo-

ped in the EU Permanent Structured Coope-ration (PESCO) framework are designed to assist the EU Member States, EU Institutions, and the EU CSDP missions and operations, as well as to partner countries, this way contribut-ing to the EU common efforts to prevent, deter and to respond to cyber incidents. One more multilateral cyber exercise is scheduled to take place this year.

The Lithuanian-coordinated PESCO Cyber Rapid Response Teams and Mutual Assistance in Cyber Security project is among the most successfully developed and most advanced PESCO projects.

The aim of PESCO is to develop military capabilities for the EU military operations. Developed through cooperation of individual countries that have more experience and ex-pertise in specific fields, PESCO projects span different areas. Lithuania has taken up to lead cyber cooperation.

MoD information

EU CRRT proves its ability to swiftly assist a cyberattack-hit country

5June 2021. No 6.

News

I n January 2001, a Predator launched an inert Hellfire missile at a dummy tank, marking the first successful missile test

from a drone. Twenty years on, drones have be-come a feature of warfare to an extent that few at the time likely could have imagined. Over 100 militaries have some level of armed or un-armed drone capability, and a growing number have experience using these systems in combat. The notion of what an armed drone looks like and how it should perform has also shifted as the families of drones and drone munitions have become lighter and more diverse. This is fueling a wider adoption of these systems, po-tentially complicating the United States’ ability to develop effective countermeasures.

The emergence of new drone manufacturers is driving a competitive and dynamic global market for military drones, particularly for me-dium and large uncrewed aircraft. In addition to those from China, Israel, Turkey and the U.S., new offerings of large drones from com-panies in Russia, Italy and South Africa as well as many other local research and development projects could offer customers a growing num-ber of options.

Where some countries may have once gone with a single supplier, military drone invento-ries are increasingly diverse. Morocco, having recently introduced the Israeli Heron 1, is now interested in the U.S. MQ-9 Reaper, according to a report in Reuters. Efforts to loosen U.S. export policy as it relates to large drones could grow the number of countries operating Ame-rican-made systems, though they are unlikely to substantially alter these trends.

Both the declining cost of components for drones and state policies aimed at boosting domestic manufacturers have created oppor-tunities for some countries to acquire drones independently of foreign suppliers. Spain’s RAPAZ program, for example, seeks to encou-rage local industry by acquiring small drones for evaluation by the Spanish military exclu-sively from domestic producers. Likewise, most of Ukraine’s fleet of small drones is pro-vided by domestic manufacturers like Athlon Avia that responded to a need — sometimes in creative ways — for drones following Rus-sia’s invasion of Crimea and the Donbas region. Partnerships between countries like Ukraine and Turkey, Spain and Colombia, and South Africa and the United Arab Emirates have led to joint projects to develop uncrewed aircraft as well as subsystems and munitions for drones. These collaborations offer manufacturers ways

to build local capacity, gain access to new mar-kets and technology, and overcome export re-strictions.

Drones are increasingly equipped with an array of bombs, missiles and other munitions. While air-to-ground anti-tank missiles like the U.S. Hellfire or the Chinese Blue Arrow-7 re-main common, they have been joined by gui-ded bombs of various sizes, air-to-air missiles and rockets. As a result, some drones could assume responsibility for missions such as de-fensive counterair or suppression of enemy air defenses that have typically been carried out by crewed combat aircraft.

An emerging class of lightweight, reusable armed drones like China’s Blowfish A3 and Turkey’s Songar can be equipped with swap-pable payloads of mortars, grenades and light machine guns. The proliferation of strike-capa-ble drones is driving the development and sale of drone-specific guided munitions. Turkey’s Roketsan has said that interest from interna-tional customers in its MAM (smart micro-munition) series of lightweight munitions for drones has grown in parallel with the interest in Turkish UAVs.

Drones have featured prominently in recent armed conflicts in North Africa, the Sahel, the Arabian Peninsula and the Caucuses. In Libya, Turkey and the UAE have supplied armed drones to proxies on opposing sides, while the Iranian-backed Houthi group in Yemen has used drones to attack Saudi energy and trans-portation infrastructure.

Speaking in a magazine interview in late April of the role that drones and loitering mu-nitions played in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh

War, German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer remarked that drones are likely to remain a feature of armed conflict, gi-ven that they are comparatively cheap and easy to obtain, calling drones one of the "weapon systems of the future."

In addition to deliveries of the systems themselves, many of these deployments have been facilitated by the provision of nonmaterial support in the form of training, maintenance and tactical leadership.

The U.S. Defense Department’s new coun-ter-drone strategy rightly focuses on the threats posed by low-cost small- and mid-sized drones, given the growing popularity of these systems among state and nonstate actors, and the diffi-culty of detecting and mitigating them with the existing suite of air defense solutions.

In a virtual event in late April, U.S. Central Command chief Gen. Kenneth McKenzie called the proliferation of low-cost drones one of the foremost security issues in the Middle East. Future iterations of the counter-UAS strategy should encompass the full spectrum of drone threats, particularly as the Department of Defense moves to address the challenges posed by peer and near-peer competitors. Ra-pid technological changes in the form of new, long-range munitions and air-launched loiter-ing munitions, as well as evolutions in adver-sarial concepts of operations such as manned-unmanned teaming, are poised to offer a new front in the struggle to defend against drones, one for which the U.S. and its allies and part-ners will need to prepare.

Information and photo credit: www.defensenews.com

Weapons of the future: Trends in drone proliferation


In short

Certification field training exercise Iron Wolf 2021-I

I n May 18, the Mechanized Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf raised the alert level: International Exercise Iron Wolf 2021-I began to run on May 19 to 31. Exercise Iron Wolf 2021-I is held annually to

maintain readiness of the Mechanized Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf and subordinate battalions and to certify interoperability of Brigade units with the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group (NATo eFP BG), deployed in Rukla, Jonava region, and the Brigade command, as well as the readiness to complete tasks together.

The focus certification audience this year was the NATO eFP Battle Group, Duke Vaidotas Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Logistical Support Battalion, and the Reconnaissance Company of the Mechanized Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf.

Participants of the exercise showcased their readiness to complete military operations, shared their best practices in the international envi-ronment, completed logistical operations and demonstrated interopera-bility among NATO allies.

In total, the exercise involved around a 1000 pieces of military equip-

ment — tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armoured vehicles, artillery guns, supply and command post vehicles — and over 3 000 military per-sonnel from the Lithuanian Armed Forces and 8 NATO countries. The military vehicles moved by public roads into the areas of operations dur-ing the exercise, the training audience used blank ammunition and pyro-technics in the training events.

Deployed in Lithuania since February 2017, the NATO eFP Battle Group has already rotated in over 12 000 troops to train. Germany is the framework nation of the NATO eFP BG Lithuania. Field training and certification exercise Iron Wolf 2021-I not only certifies the cooperation between the NATO unit, deployed in Rukla, and the Lithuanian Armed Forces, but also they mark the end of the 9th rotation of NATO eFP BG Lithuania. When the exercise wraps, the 9th rotation will redeploy home and the 10th rotation will come in.

The Mechanized Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf inf. Photo credits: The Mechanized Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf

and PAO of NATO eFP BG


7June 2021. No 6.

In short

7June 2021. No 6.


NATO's presence

Spur Ride — a very special tradition of the U.S. CavalryAT THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY THE 2ND BATTALION, 8TH CAVALRY REGIMENT WAS WELCOMED WITH ITS ARRIVAL TO LITHUANIA DURING COLORS UNCASING CEREMONY AT THE BATTALION’S NEW DEPLOYMENT AREA IN PABRADĖ.DURING THEIR DEPLOYMENT IN LITHUANIA THE U.S. TROOPERS ALREADY HAVE CONDUCTED JOINT, MULTINATIONAL TRAINING ALONG WITH HOST NATION, NATO ALLIES AND PARTNER FORCES, BUT SPUR RIDE IS A VERY SPECIAL EVENT, BECAUSE IT RELATES TO THE FIGHTING SPIRIT OF A REAL CAVALRYMEN.

Spur Ride is designed to test leadership, teamwork and pure determination of each soldier.

9June 2021. No 6.

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FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION

P abradė Training Area. Terrible Lithu-anian spring with snow, heavy rain showers, temperature only +5 °C at

the beginning of May and swampy mud baths. Multinational teams consisting of American, Lithuanian and NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group (NATO eFP BG) sol-diers are overcoming the obstacle line.

The troops are climbing over a three-meter-high wall, crawling under a wire mesh lying down on their backs, and then rushing to the shooting range, where they have to demonstra-

te their accuracy by shooting at targets 100 m away.

This is the second day of Spur Ride. Yester-day, the troops completed various tasks for al-most 20 hours. Although today some soldiers look tired, their eyes are burning with the will to overcome this challenge. If anyone gets tired or stuck, they are helped by their teammates, and Spur Ride organizers support them with good words and friendly shouts as well.

One man stands out among these troopers. He is intently observing the area, wears the common U.S. cavalry uniform, but has an unu-sual object in his hands — a wooden stick. "He

is our battalion’s blood line – Command Sgt Maj Jesus Pena", presents him the public rela-tions officer 1st Lt Eren Moses.

Yes, Sgt Maj Pena knows everything about Spur Ride. He is the main guardian of the ca-valry traditions in the battalion and the main organizer of this special event. "It’s a very exci-ting moment. I did my first Spur Ride 24 years ago and still remember all challenges and the unique feeling when I got my first spurs. Now I want our young troopers to experience it and join the spur family. Actually, they have been waiting for this event because they are eager to get their silver spurs," says Sgt Maj Pena


NATO's presence

and agrees to tell more about this special U.S. Cavalry tradition, which has been passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years.

TO BE A REAL CAVALRYMENHow old is the Spur Ride tradition?It started when the cavalry was founded. When new recruits came to serve into the cavalry, they had no experience how to take care of their equipment — horses. The of-ficers showed how to do it properly and how to get the individual skills needed – without this knowledge they would have injured or lost their horses. Only when novices were able to prove their ability to perform with their horse and saber they were awarded spurs.

So what does it mean to be a real trooper/cavalryman?Talking about the trooper we speak about the mounted warrior on a horse. Until then, tradi-tionally warriors fought on the ground — with the cavalry the mounted warfare appeared. This

meant that now the fighter had to take care not only of himself, but also of his equipment — horse. The challenge here was to demonstrate for the senior instructors that they can take care of their equipment. We don’t have horses in the cavalry units now, but the troopers still have to demonstrate the ability to take care of the technique.

Who can participate in the Spur Ride?Everybody, who has a will. Usually we do it once a year, when the training schedule allows it. This time we have started with 260 individu-als, and then we have lost a few because they have changed their minds or weren’t motivated enough, but we still do pretty well. The will of the individual trooper to participate in such challenging and physically demanding event, working as a team and completing tasks in order to accomplish the mission, is really very important.

Are the troopers enthusiastic about par-ticipating in the Spur Ride?

Spur Ride in Lithuania started with 260 individuals, but not everyone reached the finish line.

Command Sgt Maj Jesus Pena

11June 2021. No 6.

Actually a lot of young troopers have seen us walking with the spurs and they are eager to get them too. It takes a lot of pride to have the silver spurs. Our battalion’s NCOs often get questions, how to get them, and they are ready to tell and help, but it’s a challenge for everyone.

What is the difference between silver and golden spurs?To get the golden spurs you have to be de-ployed into a combat environment within the cavalry unit. The silver spurs show that the trooper has demonstrated will and discipline to complete a multiday event of Spur Ride.

Is Spur Ride in Lithuania unique in some way?Yes, because it has an international flavour — we have Lithuanians and soldiers from NATO

eFP BG participating in Spur Ride together with us, so we can learn a lot from each other. I believe that they are learning to act together in one team as brothers and sisters, because I see them working together, having lunch, laugh-ing and communicating, getting to know each other better.

Can you tell more about the tasks of Spur Ride?The event is designed to test leadership, team-work and pure determination of each trooper. Spur Ride will last for three days and the par-ticipants will get mental and physical training. Some tasks are simple, other — more com-plex, but troopers have to operate in a tactical environment, when the air temperature is high or low or when they are tired — under such circumstances, even simple tasks become dif-ficult.

Now you can see that troopers are still acting after 20 hours of work, so they are motivated and that’s what the cavalry is. I think they won’t give up until they have fulfilled their mission.

What are the most challenging tasks of Spur Ride here, in your opinion?This one obstacle line is good, because it is physically challenging, very prolonged, you always have to be moving and be able to shoot with the rifles into targets 100 m away.Medical aid is another very demanding task line. We take care of our troopers and we can reassure them that we will take care if they get injured in the battlefield. So in the medical aid task line the troopers will see casualties, they will have to assess them and evacuate in a very tactical environment. A chemical reaction task line is also very demanding, because you have to have your protecting gear on.

NATO's presence

10 OBSTACLE LINES OF SPUR RIDE IN LITHUANIA

LINE 1: LAND NAVIGATIONLINE 2: WEAPONS (ASSEMBLE)LINE 3: RECOVERY (VEHICLE)LINE 4: MEDICAL (TCCC)LINE 5: CBRNLINE 6: SIGNAL (COMMUNICATIONS)LINE 7: FIRE SUPPORTLINE 8: RECONLINE 9: HISTORY of the 8th CAV LINE 10: STRESS SHOOT

Obstacle line combined with stress shooting was one of the biggest challenges during Spur Ride in Lithuania.


NATO's presence

Actually, all tasks have their own uniqueness, all are challenging in their own ways.

THE AWARD CEREMONY After more than two days of making dif-

ferent tasks and tactical operations, 231 sol-diers finished Spur Ride challenge. They be-came the members of the Order of Spur for the rest of their lives. Actually, not all par-ticipants of this challenge have reached the finish line: There were 20 teams in total, but only 4 teams finished with the same amount of members as in the beginning, because of

injuries or solders’ decisions to quit. Upon successful completion of the Spur

Ride, new spur holders are welcomed with a formal induction ceremony. Usually the ce-remony is a dining in, called the Spur Dinner, that often includes other military traditions such as honoring lost comrades, a ceremonial punch (called a grog), and a roll call of the suc-cessful candidates. Some units also hold a "he-ro's breakfast" immediately following the end of the Spur Ride.

"During the ceremony in Pabradė the spur holders (troopers, who already have the spurs)

awarded with spurs those who successfully completed Spur Ride — they became members of the spur family and got their certificates for life. It means that troopers have demonstrated that they can take care of their equipment and are real professionals. That’s the symbolism which the cavalry community gives with the silver spurs," Sgt Maj Pena tells.

After the award ceremony, several Spur Ride participants agreed to share their impressions of the event.

PFC Barnes, Deahte J, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment:

A reconnaissance task line and moving to patrol basis were the moments I enjoyed the

The commander of 2nd "Stallion" Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment Lt Col Steven Jackowski congratulated the participants of Spur Ride.

Induction into the Order of the Spur is for life, and the status travels with the soldier from unit to unit.

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THE ORDER OF THE SPUR

The "Order of the Spur" is a Cavalry tradition within the United States Army. Troopers serv-ing in Cavalry units are inducted into the Order of the Spur after successfully completing a series of evaluations set by the command, culminating in the final test; the "Spur Ride" or for having served during combat as a member of or with a Cavalry unit. A trooper who has earned both Silver and Gold spurs is known as a "Master Spur Holder." Traditionally, each Trooper is pre-sented spurs by his sponsor at a ceremonial dining in commonly referred to as the "Spur Din-ner". Both silver and gold spurs are authorized for wear and should be worn with the military uniform during Squadron or Regimental ceremonies and events or as designated by the Cavalry unit commander. In some units, gold spurs are awarded for combat inductions while silver spurs represent having completed the Spur Ride. Within the tradition, silver spurs and gold spurs hold a similar relationship for the cavalry as the Expert Infantryman Badge hold in the U.S. Army Infantry. There is no Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) requirement for the Order of the Spur and the order is open to members of foreign militaries serving with U.S. Cavalry units.

The tradition of having to "earn your spurs" reaches back to the beginning of the American Cavalry. When green Troopers first arrived at their new cavalry assignments they were assigned a horse with a shaved tail. This led to the nickname "Shave Tail" for newly assigned, spur-less Soldiers. These new Troopers were in need of extensive training in all areas of horsemanship. The horse with a shaved tail was given extra space in which to operate since its rider was marked as a novice. New Troopers were not allowed to wear spurs because they may misuse or overuse the spurs, injuring the horse. Only when they were able to prove their ability to perform with their horse and saber were they awarded spurs.

Induction into the Order of the Spur is for life, and the status travels with the soldier from unit to unit. There is no specific Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) requirement for the order of the spur, and the order is open to members of foreign military serving with U.S. Cavalry units. According to Cavalry legend, as a member of the order, a Trooper also acquires the last benefit of stopping for a drink at the mythical canteen "Fiddler's Green" on their descent into Hell.

This program is the squadron's leader certification program and is dependent on leader in-volvement at all levels. It is not a voluntary program. All officers and noncommissioned officers assigned to the squadron are expected to actively participate. The intent is to provide a univer-sal framework from within which leaders can enhance Esprit De Corps, promote camaraderie develop proficient leaders with the necessary tactical and technical skills, and humility to "lead from the front". The program establishes the requirements necessary to earn a position in the Order of the Spur. Successful completion of these requirements will demonstrate to all that the aspirant has met or exceeded the training goals as set forth in this Charter and that he has earned his place in the Order.

Source: U.S. Army Armor School Pamphlet 360-12

most during the Spur Ride. This event was a challenge, but now it will be easier during the deployment.

CPL Van Den Brake Usell, Belgian Armed Forces, NATO eFP BG:

I liked this event, because it was a great op-portunity to work together with the Lithua-nian and the U.S. forces. The shooting range together with the obstacle course was the most challenging and interesting moment for me. It was an honor to know more about the spur tra-dition and to become a part of it.

1st LT Gordon Donahue, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment:

I liked the most the fact that they have pro-vided us with the opportunity to apply our skills training the whole time and overcoming challenges.

It was raining day and night during the whole Spur Ride, and there were a lot of mo-ments continuously when we were just pushing through obstacles they were giving, completing tasks in a certain time, allowing our squad to succeed. It was a very valuable opportunity to learn. The biggest challenge during the Spur Ride other than task lines themselves, were set-ting up the patrol basis between the lines.

It’s an honour and a huge accomplishment to be a cavalryman and get the spurs, especially having ability to do it in a foreign country with our multinational partners.

By Ilona Skujaitė and Capt Mindaugas Jonas Laučius

Photo credits: Monika Dilkė, 1st Lt Eren Moses, PAO of NATO EFP BG

The award ceremony in Pabradė: The silver spurs show that the troops have demonstrated will and

discipline to complete a multiday event of Spur Ride.


NATO's presence

By Henry L. Gaidis

Smithsonian Institution, Museum of History and Technology pub-

lication entitled American Military Insignia 1800–1851, published in Washington, D.C., in 1963, identifies the first known distinctive metal branch of service insignia authorized for wear in the United States Army as the Dra-goon Helmet Plate. This distinctive helmet plate that was authorized by a U.S. Army, Ge-neral Order, dated March 30, 1800, described its wear in the following manner. "Cavalry...a helmet of leather crowned with black horse hair and having a brass front, with a moun-ted dragoon in the act of charging." The first produced plates struck in brass were oval in

shape with a raised rim and a lead filled back. For some unknown reason, the plate designer added an American eagle in flight over the charging dragoon holding a wreath in its beak. Surely, the eagle was intended to signify the United States and the wreath for victory.

A similar version of this plate, featuring the same oval design in the center of a rectangular brass sheet, some silver-plated, with clipped corners and holes for securing the plate to the helmet were also made. Although not con-firmed through documentation, this plate is speculated to have been a revised version of an earlier design mentioned in U.S. military uniform regulations in 1812. Many historians and collectors consider the U.S. Dragoon Model 1800 helmet plate to have been among the most esthetically pleasing insignia ever approved for wear by the U.S. military. The author has provided a photograph of this U.S. Dragoon helmet place in his collector for the reader to make his own appraisal of its beauty.

The above information is documented by other sources and not subject of dispute. Still the author has no doubt, that any Lithuanian American looking at this helmet plate will im-mediately note an extremely close resemblance of this dragoon insignia and the Lithuanian national charging knight (Vytis) insignia. Un-fortunately, nothing is now know concerning where the idea for this U.S. Dragoon helmet plate originated.

In then few passages, the author presents his research and conclusions concerning the probable origins of the first U.S. Government authorized military insignia. Although his con-clusion is subject to conjecture, the facts pre-sented are not.

All American military historians identified Count Casimir Pulaski as being the Father of the American cavalry. Although Count Pulaski is frequently is frequently identified as having been a Pole, his ancestral family roots can be further traced to ancient Lithuania. There is little doubt that the Count Kazimierz Michel Wladyslaw Wiktor Pulaski of Ślepowron, was born on March 6, 1745, in Warsaw, Poland. Still, if one researches his family linage they will find the Pulaski Family used the Ślepowron family crest as its seal and at the time of Ca-

simir’s birth resided in Pulazie located in the Biesk lands. The Ślepowron seal consists of a sil-ver horseshoe topped by a cavalier’s cross on which sits a black crow with a golden ring in its beak on a blue shield. The Ślepowron crest was used widely by a number of minor Lithuanian nobleman families. Although the Pulaski fami-ly was not one of the great royal families of the Polish Lithuania Commonwealth is had a long and distinguish military history.

Bielsk Lands was an ancient geographical term used to describe what is today Bielsk County in northeastern Poland. In 1253, Bielsk was captured by Lithuanian Grand Duke Traidenis and the Bielsk Lands eventually annexed by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In 1413, the Bieski Lands became administrative unit of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Trakai Voivodeship. Regrettably, the great destruc-tion of Bielsk court records during the 19th Century prevents researchers from confirming the history of the Pulaski family in Bielsk lands today. Still there is ample documentation that the members of the Pulaskis (Pulaskis) fami-ly throughout history have held their family originated in Lithuania.

It was Benjamin Franklin, the famous American statesman, who arranged for Pu-laski’s passage and wrote a glowing letter of in-


ORIGINS OF THE U.S. DRAGOON MODEL 1800 HELMET PLATE

Count Casimir Pulaski is called the Father of the American cavalry.

US Dragoon Helmet Plate Model 1800 — Gaidis Collection

Belt Bucle with Lithuanian (Vytis) Carging Knight worn by the Lithuanian Army in 1775–1795.

15June 2021. No 6.

NATO's presence

troduction for Pulaski to General Washington. No other than John Hancock, the President of the Continental Congress, who recommen-ded that Pulaski be put in charge of the newly raised regiments of light dragoons. At Valley Forge, Pulaski was responsible for the estab-lishment of the first four regiments of cavalry in the American service. General Washington eventually appointed Pulaski as the Brigade General in charge of the infant American Ca-valry. Due to ever increasing friction and frus-tration over mounts, arm and equip for his men properly, Pulaski realized that he could not effectively fill his role as the Commander of America’s first regular cavalry units and re-signed in protest.

On April 4, 1778, the U.S. Congress relen-ted and authorized Pulaski to create his own independence corps, that eventually became knowns as the Pulaski Legion, was initially composed of 68 lancers and 200 infantrymen. To avoid continued conflict among American officers, General Washington authorized Pu-laski to appoint his own officers. Pulaski then gathered a strong cadre of fellow European of-ficers, which included Captain John Zielinski and several other former officers from the old Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. With the war gradually shifting southward, Pulaski and his Legion was ordered to Charleston, South Carolina, where he would eventually die lead-ing a gallant charge against the British.

The Polish-Lithuanian American Revolu-tion War warrior was mortally wounded, while leading a gallant cavalry charge upon the Bri-tish Forces at Savannah, Georgia, and died on October 11, 1779, in Savannah, Georgia. Soon after his heroic death, Count Pulaski became an American National Hero. Today one can find numerous monuments and several Ameri-can towns and counties name in his honor. For his service, Pulaski without question holds the title of being the Father of the American Ca-valry.

A great many American Military Historians have little or no knowledge concerning East-ern European History. Pulaski like another Revolutionary War general Thaddeus Kos-ciusko was born in Lithuanian, which was then part of the ancient Polish Lithuanian Com-monwealth. Unfortunately, the Polish Lithua-nian Commonwealth was been struck from the maps of Europe in 1795 when the nation was overrun by the combined military forces of Russia, Prussia, and Austria. With the defeat of their nation after a heroic struggle in vain, many officers of the Polish Lithuanian Com-monwealth went to America and join its strug-gle for freedom and independence.

The author now directs the reader’s atten-tion to the enclosed coat of arms of the Po-lish Lithuanian Commonwealth featuring the quartered coat-of-arms with its Polish Eagle and Lithuanian (Vytis) Charging Knight. Al-though a unified nation by monarchy, parlia-ment, and coinage, both Poland and Lithuania each maintained their own standing armies. For the most part, uniforms worn by each army were identical, with only their insignia featured on their regimental flags, uniform buttons, buckles, horse blankets, etc., being different. The author has provided photo-graphs of Lithuanian military accruement worn during the 1775–1795 period for exa-mination and observation for comparison with the U.S. Dragoon Helmet plate adopted shortly thereafter.

Surviving documents confirm that Pulaski, Kosciusko, and other Polish-Lithuanian offi-cers who came to fight for America, brought along their own firearms, swords, and equip-ment. There is little room for doubt, that among the equipment brought to America by these heroes was various type of military accruement bearing the Lithuanian (Vytis) Charging Knight. Similarly, it is unconceivable, that their fellow American Cavalrymen did not see and become familiar with the Lithuanian (Vytis) Charging Knight insignia worn by these officers. History clearly documents the great honor and respect held by the Ameri-can Revolutionary War officers for Pulaski, Kosciusko, and their fellow officers, from the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth. Therefor it is only logical that one of these American ca-valry officers proposed the Lithuanian (Vytis) Charging Knight, worn by these foreign volun-teer cavalry officers who gave so much for the cause of Liberty, be adopt as their first cavalry emblem.

Although the charging cavalry man adop-ted for use on the U.S. Dragoon Model 1800 Helmet Plate wears American military dress of the period so did most of the Polish Lithuanian officers who served with the unit. It is author’s opinion that no one can deny the origin of this design has its roots in the ancient national in-signia of Lithuania. Recognition of the Lithua-nian connection in the American Revolutio-nary War is worthy at this time since members of the Lithuanian armed forces have in recent times fought along their American counter-parts in Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and other NATO engagements. Today, just as in the past, Lithuanian volunteers are answering the call to defend freedom and continue their histori-cal struggle to preserve democracy around the world.

15June 2021. No 6.

1775–1794 Lithuanian Horse blanket Insignia —Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Embroidered

Vytis Crest — Lietuvos Vytis.

Maryland Model 1812 U. S. Light Dragoon Helmet.

Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth Cavalry (Rogatywka/Konfederatka) cap worn extensively by the Lithuanian Cavalry during the 18th Century.


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General Thaddeus Kościuszko — a hero of the U.S. War of Independence

TODAY, KOŚCIUSZKO IS MOST NOTED WORLDWIDE LITHUANIAN FOR HIS BRAVERY, KINDNESS, PATRIOTISM, LIKEABILITY, AND UNWAVERING STRENGTH OF CHARACTER. FOR KNOWLEDGEABLE AMERICANS, KOŚCIUSZKO IS NOTED FOR HAVING BEEN A SKILLED ENGINEER WHO CAME TO THE AMERICAN COLONIES AND OFFERED HIS SERVICE TO THE REVOLUTIONARY CAUSE. "AS PURE A SON OF LIBERTY AS I HAVE EVER KNOWN," SAID THOMAS JEFFERSON ABOUT KOŚCIUSZKO.

AT SARATOGA AND WEST POINT

A ndrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko was born on February 12, 1746, to Lithuanian parents re-

siding in a manor in Merechevschina, Brest Litovsk Voivodeship, Grand Duchy of Lithua-nia, which was then part of the Polish–Lithua-nian Commonwealth. As a result of historical shifting borders and Kościuszko having risen to the rank of General in the Polish and Ameri-can Armies, today he is claimed to be not only Lithuanian, but also Polish, Belarusian, and American.

Kościuszko was a skilled engineer who came to the American colonies offering his service in the struggle for freedom. Actually, Kościuszko was recruited in France by Silas Deane and Ben-jamin Franklin and in August 1776 he arrived in America. He initially served as a volunteer, but Congress later commissioned him a Colonel of Engineers in the Continental Army on October 18, 1776. Due to the recommendation of Prince Adam Kazimierz Czartoryski and General Charles Lee, Kościuszko was named head en-gineer of the Continental Army. Here he made two significant contributions. First, he planned the American fortifications before the Battle of

Saratoga. This battle, fought in September and October 1777, was a decisive victory for the colonists, and many historians consider it the turning point in the American Revolution.

Kościuszko further supervised the construc-tion of defenses at West Point, New York, what is now the home of the U.S. Army Military Academy. Those defensive positions precluded the British from gaining control of the Hudson River, which would otherwise have strategically split the colonies, thereby possibly jeopardizing the revolution. In 1781, General George Was-hington described the West Point fortifications as "the most important post in America."

Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Ameri-can Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States, who became a personal friend of Kościuszko, later described him as a pure son of liberty.

Following the Revolution, Kościuszko re-turned home to the Polish-Lithuanian Com-

monwealth and joined the ranks of his nation’s reformers seeking more independence and greater social equality. He promoted a strong central government and a standing army, and a more democratic constitution.

When Russia, Prussia, and Austria took issue with a more powerful restored Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Kościuszko was again called upon to fight for freedom and liberty.

BLACK CLOUDS OVER THE HOMELAND

By the beginning of the 18th century the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (Abiejų Tautų Respublika — in Lithuanian), which had saved Europe from the Moslems at Vienna and spread its boarders from the Baltic to the Black Sea, was in a period of political and mili-tary decline.

As the Poles and Lithuanian sought reforms in their political system, Russia, Prussia, and

Painting of General Washington with his Foreign Generals. Left to right, Generals Baron Johann de Kalb, Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, Count Casimir Pulaski, General Tadeusz Kościuszko, Marie-

Joseph Marquis de Lafayette, and John Peter Muhlenberg. Engraving by Frederick Girsch.

Portrait by Karl Gottlieb Schweikart. Kościuszko is shown wearing the Eagle of the Society of the Cincinnati, awarded to him by General Washington.

19June 2021. No 6.

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19June 2021. No 6.

Austria began to fear the rise of Jacobinism, a French political movement advocating democ-racy and the over throw of monarchies, might be spreading in the commonwealth. Because of this fear, they held a secret meeting in February 1772 in Vienna where they agreed that Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth power had to still further be curtailed. At this meeting the three powers agreed to a simultaneous invade the commonwealth and taking of portions of its territory as still further punishment. Although the Polish Crown and Lithuanian Armies fought valiantly against the invaders, they were unable to prevent the Russian, Prussian, and Austrian forces from occupying large portions of the commonwealth.

Although the invaders had hoped to curtail commonwealth reforms by this disastrous de-feat it only increased the nation’s awareness of its political and military situation. As a result, efforts at reform only intensified. The political high point of this effort was the adoption of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth May 3, 1791, Constitution, which abolished most oth-er disastrous aspects of its old political system. It’s most significant aspects were established a system of separation of powers between the monarch, legislative, and judicial branches of government, extended political rights to the bourgeoisie, increased the rights of peasants, and preserved religious tolerance.

Unfortunately, many nobles seeing the loss of their political power rejected the new consti-tution and gathered in a Confederation at Tar-gowica where they called upon Russia to pre-serve their ancient liberties. The confederates were eventually joined by the King Augustus Poniatowski not anticipating still another par-tition. Under the pretext of restoring political order the Russian army again invaded the com-monwealth in May 1792 and quickly overran the under strength Polish-Lithuanian Armies. On July 22, 1793, the commonwealth parlia-ment was forced to repeal its new constitution and concede even more territory to the invad-ers. Under the conditions of this Second Par-tition, the nation loss it’s Polish Ukraine and half of its Lithuanian territories. In addition, Russian army was authorized to garrison some 30,000 Russian troops in the commonwealth and the Prussian military, which has invaded at the same time continued to garrison an un-known number of troops as well.

In October 1793, the Russians under condi-tion of an imposed military and alliance treaty required the commonwealth to still further re-duce its combined Polish and Lithuanian army to 15,000 men. Although the Russians thought the reduction of the Polish Lithuanian military

Fort Clinton (West Point), fortified by Kościuszko. In background: his statue.

Tadeusz Kościuszko during battle of Racławice, by Juliusz Kossak.


Special


forces would prevent further fighting it only inflamed the situation. When military com-manders refused to compile with the Russian order to reduce their forces insurrection resul-ted. Although the King and Targowica Con-federates had hoped this treaty would prevent further military hostilities it became the cata-lyst for the eventually destruction of the nation.

KOŚCIUSZKO STARTS TO LEAD THE INSURRECTION

On March 24, 1794, a General Insurrection was proclaimed in Krakow and an independent National Government of Insurgents formed. Dictatorial powers were entrusted to General Thaddeus Kościuszko the Lithuanian hero of the American Revolution. Kościuszko imme-diately issued a manifesto call for insurrection and a general uprising began through the com-monwealth.

On April 16, 1794, upon receiving orders from Hetman Simon Kossakowski, the Vil-nius commander of the Lithuanian army, to reduce their brigade strength, Generals Joseph Niesiolowski, Charles Prozor, and Romuald Giedroyc, in Šiauliai, refused to comply and sought the support of other Lithuanian military commanders. On the night of April 22, 1794, Colonel Jakub Jasinski the Lithuanian Artillery

Commander in Vilnius led a combined mili-tary and civilian force of 300 armed insurgents against the Russian Vilnius garrison capturing its Russian commander, 40 officers, and 900 sol-diers, in a bloodless uprising. With his success, a Supreme Council of Lithuania was formed which placed itself under the authority of

Kościuszko’s National Government in Warsaw. On the following day, General Kossakowski

was hung for being a traitor to his country in front of the Vilnius City Hall and Colonel Ja-sinski was named the new Commander of the Lithuanian Army. General Kościuszko readily confirmed his appointment. A Vilnius municipal guard was consisting of 1,700 men was quickly formed led by the famous architect Laurynas Stuoka-Gucevičius who was then a professor at the Vilnius academy. Jasinski issued appeals to all of the inhabitants of Lithuania urging them to take up arms and form local military groups. As the uprising spread across Lithuania, the initial engagements with the Russians did not prove very successful. Although Lithuanian forces under the command of Colonel Stephen Grabowski advanced upon the Russian troops entrenched at Nemenčinė on April 27, 1794, and Colonel Jasinski’s forces similarly attacked Russians troops near Palionys on May 7, 1794, they were unsuccessful in forcing their retreat. As a result, the Russian were able to hold Gardi-nas and a line from Nemenčinė to Smurgainys while awaiting reinforcements.

Although the Lithuanian insurgents were initially successful in obtaining recruits sup-port began to wane quickly. Even a proclama-tion issued by General Kościuszko on May 7, 1794, which included a vague promise of freedom to any serf joining the insurrection failed to motivate many volunteer. As a result, the insurgents were forced to begin the force-ful induction of serfs through their landlords in order to fill the ranks of its military. The si-tuation was further compounded by the fear of the nobles that the insurrection would degene-rate into a French style revolution against the aristocracy. As a result of the historic Polish fear of Lithuanian separatism, Kościuszko was forced to dissolve both the Polish National and Lithuanian Supreme Council and form a single national council consisting of representatives from both peoples. In addition, Kościuszko was forced to replace Colonel Jasinski as the Commander in Chief of the Lithuanian Army when he was accused of having radical Jacobin views. Although Jasinski emphatically denied the charge, he remained truth to the cause and accepted a lower command position under Polish General Michael Wielhorski who was sent to Lithuania from Poland. None of these changes caused either the serfs or nobles to truly embrace the insurrection.

CHANGING SUCCESS OF THE INSURGENTS

Although greatly outnumbered, the Lithua-nian Army won skirmishes against the Russian Kościuszko and his peasant scythemen, from Matejko's Battle of Racławice.

Portrait of T. Kościuszko by Wojniakowski

21June 2021. No 6.

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21June 2021. No 6.

Army at Žagarė, Joniškis, Biržai, Pušalotas, Žiežmariai and Panevėžys. A naval detachment under the command of Lucas Kalinauskis seized a Prussian ship with arms intended for the Russians, and units under the command of Lithuanian General Thomas Wawrzecki suc-cessfully advanced through Samaogitia and occupied much of Courland. There they libe-rated and held Liepaja and Ventspils for several weeks before being forced to retreat when con-fronted with an advancing superior Russian force. The main Russian advance into Lithua-nia commenced in June 1794 and was directed at Vilnius. Although the defenders successfully repelled the Russians for several weeks, the city was forced to surrender, on August 11, 1794, as the surviving members of the Lithuanian Army fell back toward Kaunas.

On September 3, 1794, General Kosciusz-ko ordered the Lithuanian Army to retreat to Poland, which virtually ended the rebellion in Lithuania. The retreating Lithuanian Army consisting of approximately 16,000 men left Lithuania in three columns commanded by Generals Prince Jozef Zajaczek and Jasinski and Lieutenant Colonel Jablonowski while continuing to harass the pursuing Russian forces. Upon reaching Poland, these brave sol-diers took part in the last great insurgent Battle at Maciejowice, on October 10, 1974, against a superior Russian Army under the command of General Alexander Suvorov. During that bloody hard fought battle, General Kosciuszko

was wounded and taken prisoner and what remained of the Polish-Lithuanian forces now under the command of Lithuanian General Wawrzecki, consisting of some 13,500 Poles and 5,000 Lithuanians, retreated to Warsaw and attempted to hold the Praga citadel which protected the city.

On November 4, 1794, the Russian Army under General Suvorov attacked the Polish Lithuanian defenders holding Praga. As the Russian were overrunning the ramparts, Ge-neral Zajaczek ordered Jasinski to retreat. General Jasinski refused to obey the retreat

order and replied that he and his men prefer death before the dishonor of retreat. While the Poles withdrew across the Vistula River, Ge-neral Jasinski remained fighting with his fellow Lithuanians at this post and there died for their country. After the Russians overran their posi-tion, they are estimated to have massacred ap-proximately 20,000 civilian in Praga. After the fight and killing ceased, General Jasinskis’ body was recovered at his post and laid to rest in the simple Warsaw Church courtyard.

On October 24, 1795, Russian, Prussia, and Austria signed a treaty dividing what remained

Jan Matejko's 'Kościuszko pod Racławicami,' 1888; on display in Kraków's 19th Century Polish Art Gallery.


Special


of the Commonwealth territories and the na-tion ceased to exist. Russia acquired the largest portion of the population and territory includ-ing Vilnius, Prussia acquired large portions of Lithuanian Minor, which became known as East Prussia, and Austria the Lublin-Krakow area.

Although the Poles and Lithuanians lost their country, the nation’s military heroes still refused to succumb to the enemy and soon many of the surviving Lithuanian generals and soldiers men-tioned in this article were fighting in the ranks of Napoleon’s French forces in the hope they would eventually liberate their homeland. These soldiers fought for Napoleon in Italy, Spain, Ger-man, and Russia and never gave up that dream. They served during the Russian 1812 Campaign and even during the Battle of Waterloo. Although they were unsuccessful, their struggle for liberty was continued by successive generation during the 1831 and 1863–1864 Polish Lithuanian In-surrections, the political struggle of 1905, and fi-nally achieving independence for the Lithuanian nation in 1918.

KOŚCIUSZKO RETURNS TO AMERICA

Despite a heroic and valiant struggle, Kościuszko was severely wounded during the Siege of Warsaw in 1794. He was captured and imprisoned in St. Petersburg, Russia. Without

his leadership, the uprising collapsed. With the death of Russian Empress Catherine the Great, her son and successor, Czar Paul I granted amnesty to Kościuszko. In exchange for his freedom and that of other Polish prisoners, Kościuszko agreed never to return home. Upon his release, Kościuszko honored that oath by making another trip to the United States.

Kościuszko arrived in Philadelphia in Au-gust 1797 and, during that visit, formed a strong and lasting friendship with Thomas Jefferson. Although Kościuszko stayed in the United States for less than a year, his friendship

with Jefferson continued via letters for over 20 years. One should note that when Jefferson was elected President in 1800, Kościuszko wrote to him, "do not forget yourself in your post, always be virtuous, republican with justice and probity, without display and ambition. In a word, be Jef-ferson and my friend." Although Jefferson was very cautious in what he wrote as President, he returned to expressing himself freely once again upon leaving office. Jefferson then elo-quently wrote to Kościuszko, "the tree you had so zealously assisted in planting, you cannot but delight in seeing watered and flourishing." This described the Jefferson — Kościuszko friend-ship. Their epistolary exchanges only ceased with Kościuszko’s death in 1817 while in exile in Switzerland.

Kościuszko nominated Thomas Jefferson to be the executor of his Last Will and Testament. Under the terms of that will, a portion of his estate was to be allocated to free Jefferson’s and other slave-owners’ slaves. Kościuszko further-more provided funding for the education of the freed slaves so that they could "function pro-perly in society." Unfortunately, a protracted legal struggle followed.

Jefferson, who was 77, declined the execu-tor position, citing his advanced age and the numerous legal complexities of the bequest. Still, Jefferson recommended that his friend, John Hartwell Cocke, who opposed slavery, be appointed executor. Cocke declined the position as well. In a letter that he wrote to Jef-ferson, Cocke noted there were "prejudices to be encountered" in their education and of "an effect which might be produced on the minds of my own people." A federal court then ap-pointed Attorney Benjamin L. Lear to be the executor of the estate, but he died in 1832. His successor, Colonel George Bomford, similarly died before settling the estate.

Pending legal issues eventually became pub-

T. Kościuszko's oath in Krakow's Market Square, 1797, by Pranciškus Smuglevičius (National Museum, Poznan).

Kościuszko Commemoration Medal, 2010 — Gaidis Collection. This medal is a smaller copy of plaques on the front and back of the Kościuszko Monument located at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Inscriptions on it acknowledge Kościuszko as being both Polish and Lithuanian.

23June 2021. No 6.

Special

23June 2021. No 6.

THINGS AND PLACES NAMED AFTER KOŚCIUSZKO

General Thaddeus Kościuszko House, 301 Pine Street (at 3rd Street), Philadelphia, Phila-delphia County, PA. West (front) elevation along Pine Street. The house is now the Thad-deus Kościuszko National Memorial, adminis-tered under Independence National Historical Park. As a national hero of Poland, Lithuania and the USA, Kościuszko became the name-sake of numerous places in the world. The Pol-ish explorer Count Paweł Edmund Strzelecki named the highest mountain in Australia, Mount Kosciuszko, for him. Nowadays the mountain is the central point of the Kosciusz-ko National Park.

He is also the namesake of Kosciusko, Mis-sissippi, Kosciusko County in Indiana, the two Kościuszko Bridges in New York State (one just north of Albany, the other on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway), Kościuszko Street (BMT Jamaica Line), the Kościuszko Bridge that crosses the Naugatuck river in Nau-

gatuck, Connecticut, Kościuszko Park across from the Polish Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee, Wisconsin contains an equestrian statue honoring him, and Thaddeus Kościuszko Way in downtown Los Angeles. There is a statue of him in Detroit, one in Boston Public Garden, one in Scranton, Pennsylvania, one in Museum Campus in Chi-cago, one in Lafayette Park in Washington, D.C., one at the USMA in West Point, New York, one in Williams Park in St. Petersburg, Florida, and, as of 2006, one in the Red Bud Springs Memo-rial Park in Kościuszko, Mississippi. His home in Philadelphia is preserved as Thaddeus Kościuszko National Memorial. There is also his monument at the corner of Benjamin Franklin Pkwy and 18th Street. In Hamtramck, MI there is a school named Kościuszko Middle School. Chicago has a public park named for him, and the city of East Chicago, Indiana, has a public park (with statue), a school,

and a neighborhood, all bearing Kościuszko’s name. In Poland every major town has a street or a square named after Kościuszko. Also, between 1820

and 1823 the citizens of Kraków erected a mound to commemorate the leader. A similar mound was erected in 1861 in Olkusz. He is also a patron of the Kraków University of Technology, the Military Uni-versity of Wrocław and countless other schools and gymnasia throughout Poland. He was also the patron of 1st Regiment of the Polish 5th Rifle Division, 1st Divi-sion of the Polish 1st Army and the 303rd Polish Squad-ron. There are also two ships named after him: S/S Kościuszko and ORP Generał Tadeusz Kościuszko, a former US Navy frigate transferred to Poland. Also, there are streets named after Kościuszko in downtown Belgrade, Serbia (Ulica Tadeuša Košćuška), as well as in Budapest, Hungary (Kosciuszkó Tádé utca). In Vil-nius, the capital of Lithuania, one of important streets is named after Kościuszko (Kosciuškos gatvė) as well.

Source: 21stcenturycicero

lic. They included counterclaims by relatives, and the surfacing of several other wills, written in Europe. Since these challenges included a request submitted through the Russian Go-vernment, Kościuszko’s estate’s disposition was forwarded to the U.S. Supreme Court for resolu-tion. In 1852, the U.S. Supreme Court disclosed that only $5,680 remained in the estate, which was formerly valued at $43,504.40. The missing funds were apparently utilized by Colonel Bom-ford, for his own purposes. The U.S. Supreme Court further ruled, in light of the discovery of subsequent wills, the American Kościuszko Will be invalid and ordered that the remaining funds be turned over to his living relatives. As a result, none of Kościuszko’s funds earmarked for the freeing and education African American slaves were ever used for that purpose.

By Henry L. Gaidis /Draugas Photo credits: flickr.com

House in Philadelphia where Kościuszko stayed in 1797.

T. Kościuszko statue Northerly Island Chicago 2015

T. Kościuszko statue in Lafayette Park, Washington, D.C. by Tadeusz Popiel

Kosciuszko painting by B. J. Czedekowski, 1947, at West Point.

Antique Memorial Plaque to Thaddeus Kościuszko.

24 Lithuanian Military Digest24 Lithuanian Military Digest

Photo credit: PAO of NATO eFP BG LTU

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