Heroic Military Academy (Mexico)
Encyclopedia
The Heroic Military College (official in spanish
: Heróico Colegio Militar) is a military educational institution founded in Mexico
in 1823 in the former Palace of the Inquisition, under the name Cadet Academy taken in 1823 the name of Colegio Militar, settling in Perote, Veracruz
, to return to Mexico City
and occupied the Betlemitas monastery (where today are the Interactive Museum of Economy and the Museum of the Mexican army and air force) and from 1835 the building Recogidas (which would then set Pino Suarez, destroyed by earthquake 1985). Marine Cadets soon disassociated from the Military College where they founded the Military Naval School
of Veracruz
in 1897.
It is under the supervision of the Mexican Army and Air Force University and the Army Military Education General Directorate.
, for such an academy to be formed were approved by the Mexican Imperial Government, through the Imperial War Ministry.
In the middle of the year, Emperor Agustin de Iturbide
ordered that the Former Inquisition Palace Complex become the headquarters of the now newly founded Military College of Mexico, the Military Cadet Academy and the Engineers Training School, all under their first director, Brigadier Diego Garcia Conde. By the next year, through the orders of War Minister General Jose Joaquin de Herrera, the Military College of Mexico was relaunched as a separate academy with headquarters at San Carlos Fortress
, in Perote, Veracruz state. In 1824, in compliance with an order from President
Guadalupe Victoria
, 18 cadets of the now called Perote Military College of Mexico, through the permission of then college director Col. Juan Dominguez y Galvez, became the first cadets of the new Naval Aspirants College and the Tlacotalpan Nautical School trained to be the Mexican Navy
's future ship officers.
In 1828, due to a campaign against secret societies and masonic lodges, Lt. Col. Manuel Montano became famous for the College's first loyalty act, that the Military College should be exempted from the campaign due to the fact that no one in the College's cadet rosters were either secret society members nor Masons, and it turned into a national act of loyalty by the college cadets and faculty. As a result of this great deed, the College in March 1828 returned to Mexico City, first in the Bethelemitas convent and later in the Inquisition Palace Complex on July 1. By then, it began to be recognized by every Mexican as the nation's premier military educational institution.
The turmoil that sparked in the 1828 presidential elections took its toll on the College cadets. On September 11, a rebellion led by Generals Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and Jose Maria Lobato denounced the election results ten days before, in which Manuel Gomez Pedraza emerged as the winner. Two months later, on November 30, they together with Lorenzo de Zavala and Col. Santiago Garcia staged a coup d'état that took over the La Acordada building demanding that the election results be voided. The same day, President Victoria called on the College cadets to proceed to the National Palace, and they fought on the side of the armed forces for 4 days until the fighting ended on December 4, with a compromise reached by both sides.
Political turmoil broke out again in 1840. On July 13 of that year Gen. Jose Urrea bolted out of jail and led a rebellion against President Anastacio Bustamante, who was later imprisoned in the presidential residence. General Gabriel Valencia then ordered all troops loyal to the President to proceed at once to the city citadel. These included the cadets of the Military College under its then director Brigade General Pedro Conde, who was received by Gen. Valencia and sent a delegation of cadets to the citadel. The College delegation then moved to a church where they fought anti-Bustamante troops, which resulted in two wounded cadets (Juan Rico and Antonio Groso), the former later died of his wounds. On the 16th President Bustamante left his residence and Gen. Vicente Filisola arrived at the church premises. On that night, when an armistice was made, the attempted coup was already over.
The next year, it relocated to the Chalpultepec Castle in Mexico City. This castle would be, in 6 years time, during the Mexican War, a place where 5 cadets and an officer in the faculty died in defense of the Mexican nation, and it would gain the Heroic designation. After a few years, the College relocated to the Inquisition Palace and later to San Lucas.
In 1846, the College's only naval director, Graduate Ship Captain Francisco Garcia began his duties as College Commandant, a duty lasting until 1847. A sudden rebellion by the Corps of Cadets happened during his tenure.
The following year, under the first term of commandant Col. José Mariano Monterde Segura, the Mexican War
struck Mexico City and the cadets caught up in the turmoil of the war. Sept. 11 was marked by the baptism of fire yet again for the Corps: the battles on the Condress' Estate. On Sept. 13 on that year the College became the site of the battle that changed it forever: the Battle of Chapultepec
between the Mexican Army, including the College cadets, and the United States Army
and United States Marine Corps
. On the part of the College 5 cadets of the Corps of Cadets - Cadets Juan Escutia (who legend states committed suicide by jumping to the hill wrapped in the Flag of Mexico
), Agustin Melgar, Francisco Marquez, Fernando Montes de Oca, and Vicente Suarez, and one active graduate and faculty member, Engineers Lieutenant Juan de la Barrera, were its greatest losses (most of the Corps were killed in action during the battle), with the rest taken as POWs or wounded. The 6 fatalities of the College are now known more in Mexico as the Niños Héroes
today, and their sacrifices remembered on that day yearly all over the nation.
In 1858, during the term of Commandant Colonel Luis Tola Algarín the College moved its facilities to the former Church of Sts. Peter and Paul in Mexico City. That year, it was caught up once again during the Reform War
when the Corps and the school leadership on October 15, by then in Toluca
, learned of the oncoming battle between them and the forces of Gen. Miguel Blanco in the town in order to prevent their advance to the capital city. They fought bravely enought to ensure their defeat, at the cost of some of their cadets who died in action in the town.
The school was used as a setting for Luis Miguel's 1989 music video "La Incondicional". In the video he plays an Air Force cadet. In a marching scene towards the end of the song one can see the "Por el Honor de Mexico" banner.
Perote, the second home of the Military College, has been dubbed by the Veracruz State Congress as The Cradle of the Military College since 2002.
Every midday, after the afternoon ceremony and before the midday parade, the following cheer is done by the Corps of Cadets:
Chorus
Vibre el clarín de la guerra, resuenen las fanfarrias
Redoblen los tambores, una marcha triunfal
Y lleven de la Patria a todos los confines
Tu nombre sacrosanto,
Colegio Militar
Tu nombre sacrosanto,
Colegio Militar
I
Colegio sacrosanto, de memoria bendita
de forjaran sus almas, Montes de Oca y Melgar
La Patria bate marcha de honor a tu pasado,
de epopeyas gloriosas y de nombre inmortal.
Y en un gesto sublime de amor y de cariño,
bendice a los efebos que supieron morir
bañados por las ráfagas de luz espendorosa
que el ángel de la gloria enviara del cenit.
Repeat Chorus
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
: Heróico Colegio Militar) is a military educational institution founded in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in 1823 in the former Palace of the Inquisition, under the name Cadet Academy taken in 1823 the name of Colegio Militar, settling in Perote, Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
, to return to Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
and occupied the Betlemitas monastery (where today are the Interactive Museum of Economy and the Museum of the Mexican army and air force) and from 1835 the building Recogidas (which would then set Pino Suarez, destroyed by earthquake 1985). Marine Cadets soon disassociated from the Military College where they founded the Military Naval School
Heroica Escuela Naval Militar
The Heroica Escuela Naval Militar is the officer training academy of the Mexican Navy.It began operations on 1 June 1897 with a group of cadets from the Army's Colegio Militar who had expressed an interest in training as naval officers....
of Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
in 1897.
It is under the supervision of the Mexican Army and Air Force University and the Army Military Education General Directorate.
History of the College
Although as early as 1818 were plans for a military academy proposed, in would be only in 1822 when such plans materialized, with the efforts of Diego Garcia Conde, the ex-Spanish military officer then serving in the Mexican ArmyMexican Army
The Mexican Army is the combined land and air branch and largest of the Mexican Military services; it also is known as the National Defense Army. It is famous for having been the first army to adopt and use an automatic rifle, , in 1899, and the first to issue automatic weapons as standard issue...
, for such an academy to be formed were approved by the Mexican Imperial Government, through the Imperial War Ministry.
In the middle of the year, Emperor Agustin de Iturbide
Agustín de Iturbide
Agustín Cosme Damián de Iturbide y Aramburu , also known as Augustine I of Mexico, was a Mexican army general who built a successful political and military coalition that was able to march into Mexico City on 27 September 1821, decisively ending the Mexican War of Independence...
ordered that the Former Inquisition Palace Complex become the headquarters of the now newly founded Military College of Mexico, the Military Cadet Academy and the Engineers Training School, all under their first director, Brigadier Diego Garcia Conde. By the next year, through the orders of War Minister General Jose Joaquin de Herrera, the Military College of Mexico was relaunched as a separate academy with headquarters at San Carlos Fortress
San Carlos Fortress
The San Carlos Fortress is a fort in the city of Perote, in the Mexican state of Veracruz. It is also known as the Fort of San Carlos, Perote Castle, the Castle of San Carlos, Perote Prison, San Carlos de Perote Fortress, and San Carlos de Perote Castle.The fortress was built from 1770 to 1776 by...
, in Perote, Veracruz state. In 1824, in compliance with an order from President
President of Mexico
The President of the United Mexican States is the head of state and government of Mexico. Under the Constitution, the president is also the Supreme Commander of the Mexican armed forces...
Guadalupe Victoria
Guadalupe Victoria
Guadalupe Victoria born José Miguel Ramón Adaucto Fernández y Félix, was a Mexican politician and military man who fought for independence against the Spanish Empire in the Mexican War of Independence. He was a deputy for Durango and a member of the Supreme Executive Power...
, 18 cadets of the now called Perote Military College of Mexico, through the permission of then college director Col. Juan Dominguez y Galvez, became the first cadets of the new Naval Aspirants College and the Tlacotalpan Nautical School trained to be the Mexican Navy
Mexican Navy
The Mexican Navy is the naval branch of the Mexican military responsible for conducting naval operations. Its stated mission is "to use the naval force of the federation for the exterior defense, and to help with internal order". The Navy consists of about 56,000 men and women plus reserves, over...
's future ship officers.
The turmoil that sparked in the 1828 presidential elections took its toll on the College cadets. On September 11, a rebellion led by Generals Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and Jose Maria Lobato denounced the election results ten days before, in which Manuel Gomez Pedraza emerged as the winner. Two months later, on November 30, they together with Lorenzo de Zavala and Col. Santiago Garcia staged a coup d'état that took over the La Acordada building demanding that the election results be voided. The same day, President Victoria called on the College cadets to proceed to the National Palace, and they fought on the side of the armed forces for 4 days until the fighting ended on December 4, with a compromise reached by both sides.
Political turmoil broke out again in 1840. On July 13 of that year Gen. Jose Urrea bolted out of jail and led a rebellion against President Anastacio Bustamante, who was later imprisoned in the presidential residence. General Gabriel Valencia then ordered all troops loyal to the President to proceed at once to the city citadel. These included the cadets of the Military College under its then director Brigade General Pedro Conde, who was received by Gen. Valencia and sent a delegation of cadets to the citadel. The College delegation then moved to a church where they fought anti-Bustamante troops, which resulted in two wounded cadets (Juan Rico and Antonio Groso), the former later died of his wounds. On the 16th President Bustamante left his residence and Gen. Vicente Filisola arrived at the church premises. On that night, when an armistice was made, the attempted coup was already over.
The next year, it relocated to the Chalpultepec Castle in Mexico City. This castle would be, in 6 years time, during the Mexican War, a place where 5 cadets and an officer in the faculty died in defense of the Mexican nation, and it would gain the Heroic designation. After a few years, the College relocated to the Inquisition Palace and later to San Lucas.
In 1846, the College's only naval director, Graduate Ship Captain Francisco Garcia began his duties as College Commandant, a duty lasting until 1847. A sudden rebellion by the Corps of Cadets happened during his tenure.
The following year, under the first term of commandant Col. José Mariano Monterde Segura, the Mexican War
Mexican War
Mexican War may refer to:*Mexican War of Independence *Mexican–American War *French intervention in Mexico *Mexican Revolution *Mexican Civil War *Cristero War *Mexican Drug War...
struck Mexico City and the cadets caught up in the turmoil of the war. Sept. 11 was marked by the baptism of fire yet again for the Corps: the battles on the Condress' Estate. On Sept. 13 on that year the College became the site of the battle that changed it forever: the Battle of Chapultepec
Battle of Chapultepec
The Battle of Chapultepec, in September 1847, was a United States victory over Mexican forces holding Chapultepec Castle west of Mexico City during the Mexican-American War.-Background:On September 13, 1847, in the costly Battle of Molino del Rey, U.S...
between the Mexican Army, including the College cadets, and the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. On the part of the College 5 cadets of the Corps of Cadets - Cadets Juan Escutia (who legend states committed suicide by jumping to the hill wrapped in the Flag of Mexico
Flag of Mexico
The flag of Mexico is a vertical tricolor of green, white, and red with the national coat of arms charged in the center of the white stripe. While the meaning of the colors has changed over time, these three colors were adopted by Mexico following independence from Spain during the country's War...
), Agustin Melgar, Francisco Marquez, Fernando Montes de Oca, and Vicente Suarez, and one active graduate and faculty member, Engineers Lieutenant Juan de la Barrera, were its greatest losses (most of the Corps were killed in action during the battle), with the rest taken as POWs or wounded. The 6 fatalities of the College are now known more in Mexico as the Niños Héroes
Niños Héroes
The Niños Héroes , also known as the Heroic Cadets or Boy Soldiers, were six Mexican teenage military cadets. These cadets died defending Mexico at Mexico City's Chapultepec Castle from invading U.S. forces in the 13 September 1847 Battle of Chapultepec, during the Mexican–American War...
today, and their sacrifices remembered on that day yearly all over the nation.
In 1858, during the term of Commandant Colonel Luis Tola Algarín the College moved its facilities to the former Church of Sts. Peter and Paul in Mexico City. That year, it was caught up once again during the Reform War
Reform War
The Reform War in Mexico is one of the episodes of the long struggle between Liberal and Conservative forces that dominated the country’s history in the 19th century. The Liberals wanted a federalist government, limiting traditional Catholic Church and military influence in the country...
when the Corps and the school leadership on October 15, by then in Toluca
Toluca
Toluca, formally known as Toluca de Lerdo, is the state capital of Mexico State as well as the seat of the Municipality of Toluca. It is the center of a rapidly growing urban area, now the fifth largest in Mexico. It is located west-southwest of Mexico City and only about 40 minutes by car to the...
, learned of the oncoming battle between them and the forces of Gen. Miguel Blanco in the town in order to prevent their advance to the capital city. They fought bravely enought to ensure their defeat, at the cost of some of their cadets who died in action in the town.
The school was used as a setting for Luis Miguel's 1989 music video "La Incondicional". In the video he plays an Air Force cadet. In a marching scene towards the end of the song one can see the "Por el Honor de Mexico" banner.
Perote, the second home of the Military College, has been dubbed by the Veracruz State Congress as The Cradle of the Military College since 2002.
Motto and Collegiate Slogan
Por el Honor de Mexico (For Mexico's Honor) is the college motto, made in a contest organized by radio station XEQ in commemoration of the centenary of the defense of Chalpultepec Castle in 1947.Every midday, after the afternoon ceremony and before the midday parade, the following cheer is done by the Corps of Cadets:
- Cadet Corps Commander: Heroico Colegio Militar (Heroic Military College)
- Cadets: Por el Honor de Mexico! (For Mexico's Honor!)
Collegiate Hymn
The Hymn of the Heroic Military College was composed in 1930 by Prof. José Ignacio Ríos del Río.Lyrics
SpanishChorus
Vibre el clarín de la guerra, resuenen las fanfarrias
Redoblen los tambores, una marcha triunfal
Y lleven de la Patria a todos los confines
Tu nombre sacrosanto,
Colegio Militar
Tu nombre sacrosanto,
Colegio Militar
I
Colegio sacrosanto, de memoria bendita
de forjaran sus almas, Montes de Oca y Melgar
La Patria bate marcha de honor a tu pasado,
de epopeyas gloriosas y de nombre inmortal.
Y en un gesto sublime de amor y de cariño,
bendice a los efebos que supieron morir
bañados por las ráfagas de luz espendorosa
que el ángel de la gloria enviara del cenit.
Repeat Chorus
Commandants
| No. | Period | Rank | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1818–1823 | Brigadier General | Diego García Conde | |
| 2 | 1823–1824 | Cavalry Colonel | Juan Domínguez y Gálvez | |
| 3 | 1825–1828 | Cavalry Lieutenant Colonel | José Manuel Arechaga | |
| 4 | 1835–1836 | Engineers Colonel | Ignacio Mora y Villamil | |
| 5 | 1836–1846 | Brigadier General | Pedro García Conde | |
| 6 | 1846–1847 | Graduate Captain, Commander | Francisco García Salinas Francisco García Salinas Francisco García Salinas was a Mexican politician.... |
Only naval officer commandant of the College |
| 7 | 1847–1853 | Graduate Gen., Engineers Colonel | José Mariano Monterde Segura | Led the defense of Chapultepec Castle during the Battle of Chapultepec Battle of Chapultepec The Battle of Chapultepec, in September 1847, was a United States victory over Mexican forces holding Chapultepec Castle west of Mexico City during the Mexican-American War.-Background:On September 13, 1847, in the costly Battle of Molino del Rey, U.S... which took a heavy toll for the Academy |
| 8 | 1853–1854 | Graduate Gen., Engineers Colonel | Santiago Blanco Duque de Estrada | |
| 9 | 1854–1859 | Graduate Gen., Engineers Colonel | Luis Tola Algarín | |
| 10 | 1859–1860 | General Graduado, Coronel de Ingenieros | José Mariano Monterde Segura | 2nd Period |
| 11 | 1861–1863 | Brigade General | José Justo Alvarez Valenzuela | |
| 12 | 1868–1871 | Engineers Colonel | Amado Camacho | |
| 13 | 1871–1880 | Engineers Colonel | Miguel Quintana González | |
| 14 | 1880–1883 | Division General | Sóstenes Rocha | |
| 15 | 1883–1884 | General Graduado, Coronel Tec. de Artillería | Francisco de Paula Méndez | |
| 16 | 1884–1906 | Engineers Colonel General | Juan Villegas | Highest ranking officer commandant of the College |
| 17 | 1906–1912 | General de Brigada de E.M. Esp. | Joaquín Beltrán Castañares | |
| 18 | 1912–1913 | Brigade General | Felipe Ángeles Felipe Ángeles Felipe Ángeles Ramirez was a Mexican military officer, noteworthy for his participation in the Mexican Revolution of 1910 to 1920.-Early life:... |
|
| 19 | 1913 | Artillery Technical Colonel | Miguel Bernard | |
| 20 | 1914 | Division General | Samuel García Cuéllar | |
| Mexican Revolution Mexican Revolution The Mexican Revolution was a major armed struggle that started in 1910, with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime autocrat Porfirio Díaz. The Revolution was characterized by several socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist, and agrarianist movements. Over time the Revolution... |
||||
| 21 | 1920 | Brigade General | Angel Vallejo | |
| 22 | 1920 | Brigade General | Joaquín Mucel Acereto | |
| 23 | 1920–1921 | General de Brigada | Marcelino Murrieta Murrieta | |
| 24 | 1921–1923 | General de Brigada | Víctor Hernández Covarrubias | |
| 25 | 1923 | General de Brigada | José Domingo Ramírez Garrido | |
| 26 | 1923–1925 | General de Brigada | Miguel Angel Peralta | |
| 27 | 1925 | General de Brigada I.C. | Manuel Mendoza Sarabia | |
| 28 | 1925 | Brigadier General | Amado Aguirre Santiago Amado Aguirre Santiago Amado Aguirre Santiago was a Mexican general and politician.- Biography :... |
|
| 29 | 1925–1927 | Division general | Miguel M. Acosta Guajardo | |
| 30 | 1927–1928 | General de Brigada | Juan José Ríos | |
| 31 | 1928–1931 | General de División | Gilberto R. Limón | |
| 32 | 1931–1935 | General de División | Joaquín Amaro Domínguez | |
| 33 | 1935–1936 | General de Brigada | Rafael Cházaro Pérez | |
| 34 | 1936 | General de Brigada | Samuel Carlos Rojas Raso | |
| 35 | 1936–1938 | General de Brigada | Othón León Lobato | |
| 36 | 1939–1941 | General de Brigada | Alberto Zuno Hernández | |
| 37 | 1941–1942 | General de División | Marcelino García Barragán | |
| 38 | 1942–1945 | General de División | Gilberto R. Limón | 2nd Period |
| 39 | 1945–1948 | General de Brigada | Luis Alamillo Flores | |
| 40 | 1948–1950 | General de Brigada | Rafael Ávila Camacho | |
| 41 | 1950–1953 | General de División | Tomás Sánchez Hernández | |
| 42 | 1953–1955 | General de División | Leobardo Ruiz Camarillo | |
| 43 | 1955–1959 | General de División | Francisco de Jesús Grajales Godoy | |
| 44 | 1959–1965 | General de Brigada | Jerónimo Gomar Suástegui | |
| 45 | 1965–1970 | General de Brigada | Roberto Yáñez Vázquez | |
| 46 | 1971–1973 | General de Brigada | Miguel Rivera Becerra | |
| 47 | 1976 | General de División | Salvador Revueltas Olvera | |
| 48 | 1976–1980 | General de División | Absalón Castellanos Domínguez | |
| 49 | 1980–1982 | General de División | Enrique Cervantes Aguirre | |
| 50 | 1983–1985 | General de Brigada | Jaime Contreras Guerrero | |
| 51 | 1985–1988 | General de División | Carlos Cisneros Montes de Oca | |
| 52 | 1988–1991 | General de División | Carlos Duarte Sacramento | |
| 53 | 1991–1994 | General de Brigada | Luis Ángel Fuentes Álvarez | |
| 54 | 1994–1997 | General de Brigada | Rigoberto Castillejos Adriano | |
| 55 | 1997–2000 | General de Brigada | Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda | |
| 56 | 2000–2002 | Division General | Tomás Ángeles Dauahare | |
| 57 | 2002–2003 | General de Brigada | Manuel Sánchez Aguilar | |
| 58 | 2003–2006 | General de Brigada | Carlos García Priani | |
| 59 | 2007–2008 | Brigade General | Francisco Tomas Gonzalez Loaiza | |
| 60 | 2008- | Brigade General | Gonzalo Bernardino Duran Valdez | |