Bob Lystad, age 11, of Coeur d'Alene, Ida., for his question:

WHO WAS COUNT ROCHAMBEAU?

Jean Baptiste Rochambeau was a French general who came to America in 1780 with French troops to serve under General George Washington in the Revolutionary War. In 1781 he helped plan the Battle of Yorktown and the defeat of Lord Cornwallis.

Rochambeau, the son of a French nobleman, began a long and distinguished career as a soldier in 1742. As inspector general of the army, Rochambeau made many important military reforms later used successfully during the French Revolution and by Napoleon.

On his return from America in 1783 he was appointed governor of Picardy and Artois. He served in the French Revolution and was promoted to marshal of France in 1791.

Imprisoned during the Reign of Terror, Rochambeau narrowly escaped being executed. Napoleon later restored his rank.