Carmelo Delgado Delgado

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Carmelo Delgado Delgado
BornApril 20, 1913
Battle of Madrid
AwardsSpanish Civil War Medal of the International Brigades
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Carmelo Delgado Delgado

Puerto Rican by birth and national origin, is thought to be the first U.S. citizen to die in Spain
's civil war.

Early years

Delgado was one of three siblings born to Eladio Delgado Berrios and Flora Delgado Gonzalez in the town of Guayama, Puerto Rico. He spent his early childhood on his parents' farm located in Guamani barrio and later moved with his family to the Calle (Street) Concordia esquina (Corner) Hostos in the town of Guayama. There he received his primary and secondary education.[1]

Puerto Rican Nationalist

Delgado enrolled and was accepted in the

Puerto Rican Nationalist Party. After earning his bachelor's degree, he moved to Spain in pursuit of a law degree.[1]

Spanish Civil War

On September 22, 1935, Delgado left for Spain and upon his arrival enrolled in the

Abraham Lincoln International Brigade. The Abraham Lincoln Brigade was made up mostly of volunteers from the United States, which included Puerto Ricans and Cubans who served in the Spanish Civil War in the International Brigades.[2]
Delgado wrote to his friend, Puerto Rican Nationalist leader Carlos Carrera Benítez, the following letter:

"Everyday I have more faith in our country (Puerto Rico) and I see the day coming when our people, like the people of Spain will take arms to squash the tyrants (the United States) with the same valor and resolution that the people of Spain have taken against their military and political traitors." "How I wish that you were in Spain!. I know that you would not stand with your arms crossed and that together we would write a page that would be considered an honor in our land and a motive of pride for the land of our grandfathers" "No one in Puerto Rico should know that I have joined the revolution"[1]

Delgado was involved in the

United States Embassy offered to help, however Delgado refused their offer. According to Corretjer: "Carmelo Delgado preferred to die before a firing squad than to beg for his live to the "Yankee".[3]

Aftermath

Carmelo Delgado Delgado was executed on April 29, 1937 by firing squad, becoming one of the first

United States citizens that died in that conflict.[4] The news of his execution reached Puerto Rico and was posted on the front page of El Mundo newspaper on July 25, 1937, as "Se confirma la ejecución del joven Carmelo Delgado" (The execution of Carmelo Delgado, a young man, has been confirmed).[5]

Military decoration

Carmelo Delgado Delgado was awarded the following:

  •   Spanish Civil War Medal of the International Brigades

See also

Notes

  1. Spanish name, the first or paternal surname
    is Delgado and the second or maternal family name is Delgado.

References

  1. ^ a b c Carmelo Delgado, Retrieved November 12, 2007
  2. ^ List of volunteers in the Spanish Civil War, Retrieved November 12, 2007
  3. ^ Prisoners of the Good Fight, The Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939; by Carl Geiser; Westport, Lawrence Hill & Company, 1986, p. 11.
  4. ^ US citizens that fought against fascism[dead link], Retrieved November 12, 2007
  5. ^ El Mundo, 25 de Julio de 1937; by José Enrique Ayoroa Santaliz, "Carmelo Delgado Delgado", Claridad, 16–22 July 1993 (BibliograffIa y fotos), p. 24–25.

Further reading

  • Delgado Cintrón, Carmelo (Dr.); "Carmelo Delgado Delgado" - Article by Carmelo Delgado Cintrón, Social History historian and legal historian of Puerto Rico
  • "Galeria de heroes de Puerto Rico" (Spanish); by Jose Morales-Dorta (Author); Publisher: Editorial Plaza Mayor (1997);
    ISBN 978-1563280887
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