Michael de Kovats

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Michael de Kovats (1724 – May 11, 1779) was a Hungarian cavalry officer who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, in which he was killed in action.

Kovats was born Kováts Mihály in Karcag, Hungary. In English historical records his family name is sometimes spelled "Kowatz" or "Kowatsch". A noblemen, he became an officer in the Hungarian cavalry under Maria Theresa. He later became captain in the famous Prussian Cavalry, serving under Frederick the Great.

After learning about the American Revolution, he offered his sword to the American ambassasor in France, Benjamin Franklin. The Continental Congress made him Colonel-Commander of the Pulaski Legion. He recruited, trained, organized, and led the first American cavalry into battle. He was killed in action near Charleston, South Carolina.

A phrase from his letter to Franklin, "Faithful unto Death" (Fidelissimus ad Mortem) has since been taken as the motto of the American Hungarian Federation. To this date, Michael de Kovats is celebrated by cadets at the Citadel Military College in South Carolina where part of the campus is named in his honour. Some of his descendants live in Roseland, New Jersey.