01/01/1745 – 12/15/1796
Major General Anthony Wayne was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania and was raised to become a farmer, but he had other plans. He attended the College of Philadelphia where he learned to become a surveyor. At the outset of the Revolutionary War, he led as a Colonel of the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment. He was nicknamed “Mad Anthony” due to his quick temper and offensive language. He served in the Battle of Brandywine, Invasion of Quebec, Philadelphia campaign and the Yorktown campaign. In 1779 for his leadership at the Battle of Stony Point, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. In 1783, he was promoted to Major General and later retired from the Continental Army. After retiring he was elected to serve in the Pennsylvania General Assembly for two years. In 1792, George Washington called him out of retirement to form the Legion of the United States to secure the Northwest Territory, during which he became the senior commander in the U.S. Army.