Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben was born on September 17, 1730, in Magdeburg, Stadtkreis Magdeburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany. He began his military career in the Prussian Army, serving as an infantry officer during the Seven Years' War and later as a General Staff officer and aide-de-camp to Frederick the Great.

In 1777, von Steuben traveled to the American colonies, where he volunteered his services and was appointed Inspector General of the Continental Army. Arriving at Valley Forge in 1778, he introduced rigorous drills, standardized training, and improved organizational structure. His Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States—known as the "Blue Book"—became the Army's first drill manual, influencing American military doctrine well into the 19th century.

Von Steuben also served as General George Washington’s chief of staff and one of his most trusted advisors. For his invaluable service, he was granted U.S. citizenship and awarded land in Oneida County, New York, where he lived until his death on 28 November 1794, and is now buried in the Steuben Memorial, Remsen, Oneida County, New York, USA.

Source of information: www.mountvernon.org, https://history.army.mil, https://en.wikipedia.org