Over the course of the American Revolutionary War, several high ranking American officers were killed. Note that until 1857, Captain was the highest rank in the United States Navy.
List
Name Rank Command Date Notes Joseph Warren Major General Commander of American forces on Bunker Hill 17 June 1775 Killed during the Battle of Bunker Hill. Richard Montgomery Major General 31 December 1775 Killed during the Battle of Quebec. John Thomas Major General 2 January 1776 Died of smallpox during the retreat after the failed Invasion of Quebec. Hugh Mercer Brigadier General Mercer's Brigade 12 January 1777 Died of wounds received during the Battle of Princeton. Nicholas Herkimer Brigadier General Tryon County militia 16 August 1777 Died of wounds received during the Battle of Oriskany. Philippe Charles Tronson du Coudray Major General Commander of the Continental Army's artillery and engineering corps 11 September 1777 Drowned during a ferry crossing of the Schuylkill River after his horse got spooked and jumped off of the ferry while he was entangled in his stirrups. Lambert Wickes Captain USS Reprisal 1 October 1777 Killed by a Nor'easter. Nicholas Biddle Captain USS Randolph 7 March 1778 Killed during the Battle off Barbados. Casimir Pulaski Brigadier General Pulaski's Legion 11 October 1779 Died of wounds received during the Siege of Savannah. Johann de Kalb Major General 19 August 1780 Died of wounds received during the Battle of Camden. Jonathan Greeley Captain Privateer ship Speedwell 1781 Killed after his ship scuttled by a British frigate off the coast of Marblehead, Massachusetts. William Lee Davidson Brigadier General Salisbury District Brigade 1 February 1781 Killed during the Battle of Cowan's Ford. David Ropes Captain Privateer ship Jack 29 May 1782 Killed during the Second Battle off Halifax
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