Eduard Ladislas Kaunitz, baron von Holmberg (1778–1853) was an Austrian military officer, who joined the Argentine revolutionary forces after serving alongside José de San Martín and Carlos María de Alvear during the Argentine War of Independence.
Around 1812 he traveled to Buenos Aires on the British frigate George Canning, which was transporting the Argentine fighters from Europe, attracted by the possibility of fighting in the South American wars of independence.
He arrived on 9 March and was noted in the daily Gazeta de Buenos Ayres a few days later: To this port had arrived, among others in the English frigate, Cavalry Lieutenant Colonel José de San Martín, First Adjutant to the General in Chief of the Army, marquis de Coupigny; Infantry Captain Francisco Vera; Sub-Lieutenant José Zapiola; Militia Captain Francisco Chilavert; Royal Carabineers Sub-Lieutenant Carlos Alvear y Balbastro; Infantry Sub-Lieutenant Antonio Arellano and Guardias Valonas First Lieutenant Eduardo Kailitz, Barón de Holmberg.
These individuals came to offer their services to the government and have been welcomed with the consideration deserved for the sentiments they professed towards the interests of the motherland.Kaunitz was an amateur botanist, and had in his luggage several collections of bulbs from floral plants unknown in Argentina.
Kaunitz married Antonia Balbastro, a cousin of Alvear; his son Eduardo Wenceslao also served as an officer under Juan Lavalle.