Juan Fanning
Encyclopedia
Captain Juan Fanning was a naval officer in the Peru
vian military who led a memorable charge against the invading Chile
an army during the Battle of Miraflores
. Fanning was mortally wounded during the charge.
Fanning, the son of American businessman John Fanning and Peruvian lady Micaela Garcia, was born in Lambayeque in 1824. He joined the navy at age 15 and received his first commission as junior officer of the warship Libertad. He fought as Corvette Captain during the 1866 war with Spain
, and from April to September 1879 was posted in Arica.
During the War of the Pacific
, the Chilean army invaded Peru and attacked the Miraflores District
outside Lima
on January 15, 1881. Fanning's unit was redeployed from the port and ordered to mount a counter-offensive. Fanning led a gallant charge which drove back the enemy. However, other Peruvian units began to withdraw as the Chilean forces received reinforcements. Fanning's position was overrun after his brigade ran out of ammunition.
Fanning was mortally wounded during the charge. Taken back to Lima, he died at his wife's side. His last words were reputed to be "¡Estoy muriendo por mi país!" ("I am dying for my country!") The Peruvian military unit "Capitán de Navío Juan Fanning" was established in his honor.
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
vian military who led a memorable charge against the invading Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
an army during the Battle of Miraflores
Battle of Miraflores
The Battle of Miraflores occurred on January 15, 1881 in the Miraflores District of Lima, Peru. It was an important battle during the War of the Pacific that was fought between Chile and the forces of Peru. The Chilean army led by Gen. Manuel Baquedano defeated the army commanded by Nicolás de...
. Fanning was mortally wounded during the charge.
Fanning, the son of American businessman John Fanning and Peruvian lady Micaela Garcia, was born in Lambayeque in 1824. He joined the navy at age 15 and received his first commission as junior officer of the warship Libertad. He fought as Corvette Captain during the 1866 war with Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, and from April to September 1879 was posted in Arica.
During the War of the Pacific
War of the Pacific
The War of the Pacific took place in western South America from 1879 through 1883. Chile fought against Bolivia and Peru. Despite cooperation among the three nations in the war against Spain, disputes soon arose over the mineral-rich Peruvian provinces of Tarapaca, Tacna, and Arica, and the...
, the Chilean army invaded Peru and attacked the Miraflores District
Miraflores District
Miraflores is a district of the Lima Province in Peru. Known for its shopping areas, gardens, flower-filled parks and beaches, it is one of the upscale districts that make up the city of Lima....
outside Lima
Lima
Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...
on January 15, 1881. Fanning's unit was redeployed from the port and ordered to mount a counter-offensive. Fanning led a gallant charge which drove back the enemy. However, other Peruvian units began to withdraw as the Chilean forces received reinforcements. Fanning's position was overrun after his brigade ran out of ammunition.
Fanning was mortally wounded during the charge. Taken back to Lima, he died at his wife's side. His last words were reputed to be "¡Estoy muriendo por mi país!" ("I am dying for my country!") The Peruvian military unit "Capitán de Navío Juan Fanning" was established in his honor.