Demetrio O'Daly
Encyclopedia
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.
. He lived there with his parents, Tomas O'Daly and Maria de la Puente y Franco and his older brother and sister. His father Tomas was a Colonel in the Spanish Army who was sent to Puerto Rico in the quest of revamping the El Morro fort and was named chief engineer of modernizing the defenses of San Juan, which included the fortress of San Cristóbal
. His father later became a successful businessman in his association with the growth of commercial agriculture. Upon his fathers death in 1781, his uncle Jaime took over the family property and helped raise the three O'Daly children. O'Daly received his primary education at private schools and when he was older he was sent to Spain where he received his military training at a military educational institution.
O'Daly participated in various military engagements. He was a Sergeant Major in the army when he participated in the 1809 Peninsular War
, also known as the Spanish War of Independence. During the conflict he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. O'Daly was a defender of the Spanish Constitution of 1812
and was considered a rebel and exiled from Spain by King Fernando VII in 1814. O'Daly, together with fellow general and rebel Rafael Riego organized and led a revolution against the King. The 1820, revolt against the Spanish monarchy was successful and he was promoted to Field Marshal
and awarded the Cruz Laureada de San Fernando
(Laureate Cross of Saint Fernand), the highest military decoration awarded by the Spanish government.
In 1823, O'Daly was exiled by the restored Spanish Crown and went to live in London
. He later went to the Danish island of Saint Thomas with the intention of returning to Puerto Rico, however on May 15, 1824, Lieutenant General Miguel Luciano de La Torre y Pando
, the Spanish appointed governor of Puerto Rico issued an order for his arrest in the event that O'Daly returned to the island.
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
to reach the rank of Field Marshal
Field Marshal
Field Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical...
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.
Early years
O'Daly (birth name: Demetrio O'Daly y Puente) was born in San Juan, Puerto RicoSan Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
. He lived there with his parents, Tomas O'Daly and Maria de la Puente y Franco and his older brother and sister. His father Tomas was a Colonel in the Spanish Army who was sent to Puerto Rico in the quest of revamping the El Morro fort and was named chief engineer of modernizing the defenses of San Juan, which included the fortress of San Cristóbal
Fort San Cristóbal
The Castillo de San Cristóbal is a Spanish fort in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was built by Spain to protect against land based attacks on the city of San Juan. It is part of San Juan National Historic Site....
. His father later became a successful businessman in his association with the growth of commercial agriculture. Upon his fathers death in 1781, his uncle Jaime took over the family property and helped raise the three O'Daly children. O'Daly received his primary education at private schools and when he was older he was sent to Spain where he received his military training at a military educational institution.
Military career
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
, also known as the Spanish War of Independence. During the conflict he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. O'Daly was a defender of the Spanish Constitution of 1812
Spanish Constitution of 1812
The Spanish Constitution of 1812 was promulgated 19 March 1812 by the Cádiz Cortes, the national legislative assembly of Spain, while in refuge from the Peninsular War...
and was considered a rebel and exiled from Spain by King Fernando VII in 1814. O'Daly, together with fellow general and rebel Rafael Riego organized and led a revolution against the King. The 1820, revolt against the Spanish monarchy was successful and he was promoted to Field Marshal
Field Marshal
Field Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical...
and awarded the Cruz Laureada de San Fernando
Laureate Cross of Saint Ferdinand
The Royal and Military Order of Saint Ferdinand , commonly known as Laureate Cross of Saint Ferdinand , is Spain's highest military award for gallantry...
(Laureate Cross of Saint Fernand), the highest military decoration awarded by the Spanish government.
Spanish Courts
On August 21, 1820, he was elected as a delegate to the Spanish Cortes representing Puerto Rico. He was named, by the Spanish legislature, vice-president of the courts. Among his accomplishments was the introduction of a Bill to the Spanish legislature which established free commercial trade and public education in Puerto Rico. He was also responsible for the creation of a law which separated the civil authority from the military authority in the island.In 1823, O'Daly was exiled by the restored Spanish Crown and went to live in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He later went to the Danish island of Saint Thomas with the intention of returning to Puerto Rico, however on May 15, 1824, Lieutenant General Miguel Luciano de La Torre y Pando
Miguel de la Torre
Miguel de la Torre y Pando, conde de Torrepando was a Spanish General, Governor and Captain General, who served in Spain, Venezuela, Colombia and Puerto Rico during the Spanish American wars of independence and after.At the age of fourteen he joined the Spanish Army as a soldier during the War of...
, the Spanish appointed governor of Puerto Rico issued an order for his arrest in the event that O'Daly returned to the island.
Later years
O'Daly was permitted to return to Puerto Rico in 1834. In 1836, he went back to Spain and was named Military Governor of Cartagena. He died in Madrid, the capital of Spain, in 1837. San Juan, his hometown honored his memory by naming a street "Calle Demetrio O'Daly" after him.Further reading
- "Galería de héroes de Puerto Rico"; by: José Morales Dorta; Published 1997 by Editorial Plaza Mayor in San Juan, P.R; ISBN 10 1563280884; LC Control Number 98144646; OCLC/WorldCat 38577268.
- "Benefactores y Hombres Notables de Puerto Rico"; by Eduardo Neumann Gandia; published 1896 National Library of Spain.
See also
- List of Puerto Ricans
- List of Puerto Rican military personnel
- Irish immigration to Puerto RicoIrish immigration to Puerto RicoFrom the 16th to the 19th century, there was considerable Irish immigration to Puerto Rico, for a number of reasons. During the 16th century many Irishmen, who were known as "Wild Geese," fled the English Army and joined the Spanish Army. Some of these men were stationed in Puerto Rico and...