William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe, (August 10, 1729 - July 12, 1814) was Commander-in-Chief of British forces during the American War of Independence. He joined the army in 1746 and saw extensive service in the War of the Austrian Succession and Seven Years' War. Howe was sent to North America in March 1775. After leading British troops to a victory in the Battle of Bunker Hill, he took command of all British forces in America and successfully captured New York City and Philadelphia. However, poor British campaign planning for 1777 contributed to the failure of John Burgoyne's Saratoga campaign, which played a major role in the entry of France into the war. Howe's role in developing those plans and have both been subjects of contemporary and historic debate. He resigned his post as Commander in Chief in 1778, and returned to England. He served in Parliament and was knighted. He married, but had no children, and the viscountcy was extinguished with his death in 1814, at the age of 84.