History of Europe

Who was the commander of French fleet?

François Joseph Paul de Grasse, Marquis de Grasse-Tilly or simply Comte de Grasse (September 13, 1722 – January 11, 1788) was born into French nobility and became a notable officer of the French Royal Navy (Marine royale), eventually reaching the rank of vice admiral or "Lieutenant général des Armées Navales". He is best known for commanding the French naval forces that played a vital role in securing French victory in the Battle of the Chesapeake and ultimately the American Revolutionary War in 1781. He also briefly served as Minister of the Navy in 1786