Demetrio O'Daly

Demetrio O'Daly
O'Daly was the first Puerto Rican to reach
the rank of Field Marshal in the Spanish Army.
BornJanuary 26, 1780
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Died1837
Madrid, Spain
AllegianceSpanish Army
Rank
Field Marshal
CommandsMilitary Governor of Cartagena, Spain
Battles / warsPeninsular War
AwardsCruz Laureada de San Fernando

Field Marshal Demetrio O'Daly (January 26, 1780 – 1837), was the first Puerto Rican to reach the rank of Field Marshal in the Spanish Army. O'Daly was awarded the Cruz Laureada de San Fernando (Laureate Cross of Saint Fernand), the highest military decoration awarded by the Spanish government. He represented Puerto Rico as a delegate to the Spanish Courts. Among his many accomplishments was the introduction of a Bill to the Spanish legislature which established free commercial trade and public education in Puerto Rico.[1]

  1. ^ "Benefactores y Hombres Notables de Puerto Rico"; by Eduardo Neumann Gandia; published 1896 National Library of Spain