Boston Honors Three Immigrants from Ireland, Poland and France as Heroes in the American Revolution
Three Catholic immigrants whose military and naval valor helped win the Revolutionary War between 1775 and 1783 have been honored with public memorials by the City of Boston. The three memorials pay homage to Ireland's John Barry, Poland's Tadeusz Kościuszko and France's Marquis de Lafayette, and are located close to each other in two iconic downtown parks, the Boston Common and adjoining Boston Public Garden. All three were unveiled in the 20th century. John Barry, Ireland Born on March 25, 1745 in Tacumshane, County Wexford, Ireland, Barry emigrated to Philadelphia at age 15 and became a successful maritime merchant. When the Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775, Barry immediately contacted George Washington and volunteered to serve on the colonial side. In March, 1776, Barry was commissioned to command the ship USS Brig Lexington and a month later, in April, 1776, the Lexington captured the British ship Edward, marking the first American naval...