Baron Von Steuben was born in Germany and entered the army as an officer and would develop a prestegious career. In 1777 Von Steuben went to France to meet with American representatives to offer his service without expectation of pay. He soon after went to meet with George Washington at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania.
Von Steuben did no speak English well though made things work and also wrote a military training manual that would become the United States standard for decades after. He would serve in several capacities throughout the war and would later be given a land grant from New York state. For source and more details, click here.
Portrait by: Charles Willson Peale
Image from: http://www.cr.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/revwar/image_gal/indeimg/steuben.html