Juan de Dios Aldea (1853–1879) was a

Chile Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in western South America. It is the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica, stretching along a narrow strip of land between the Andes, Andes Mountains and the Paci ...

an marine. His remains rest in the crypt of the Monument to the Heroes of the

Battle of Iquique The Battle of Iquique was a Naval warfare, naval engagement on 21 May 1879, during the War of the Pacific, where a Chile, Chilean corvette commanded by Arturo Prat, Arturo Prat Chacón faced a Peru, Peruvian Ironclad warship, ironclad under Mig ...

, in

Valparaíso Valparaíso () is a major city, Communes of Chile, commune, Port, seaport, and naval base facility in the Valparaíso Region of Chile. Valparaíso was originally named after Valparaíso de Arriba, in Castilla–La Mancha, Castile-La Mancha, Spain ...

Early life

He was born to a modest family. He was the son of professor José Manuel Aldea and Ursula Fonseca. His childhood was spent in

Santiago Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the country's central valley and is the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Regi ...

with his paternal grandparents, Juan de Dios Aldea and Maria Antonieta Contreras. At the age of eight, he enrolled in the Franciscan School of

Chillán Chillán () is the capital List of cities in Chile, city of Ñuble Region, Diguillín Province, Chile, located about south of the country's capital, Santiago, near the center of the country. It has been the capital of the new Ñuble Region since ...

, directed by his father. Here he distinguished himself with his excellent handwriting and his evident interest for military exercises.

Career

After living for four years with his aunt, on August 1, 1872, he enrolled as a volunteer soldier in the Financial Commission sent by the Navy's Artillery Battalion; an organization located in Valparaiso which was dependent on the General Command of the

Chilean Navy The Chilean Navy () is the naval warfare service branch of the Chilean Armed Forces. It is under the Ministry of National Defense (Chile), Ministry of National Defense. Its headquarters are at Edificio Armada de Chile, Valparaiso. History Ori ...

. In this battalion, he also served as a chief. He stayed in the First Company of that battalion for two years. In April 1874 he was sent on commission to

Valdivia Valdivia (; Mapuche: Ainil) is a city and commune in southern Chile, administered by the Municipality of Valdivia. The city is named after its founder, Pedro de Valdivia, and is located at the confluence of the Calle-Calle, Valdivia, and ...

and on May 11 was promoted to 2nd Corporal. On January 1, 1876 he was promoted to 1st Corporal, and a year later to 2nd Sergeant. In June 1877 he embarked on the corvette ''Esmeralda''. In February 1878 he was transferred to the pontoon ''Thalaba'', and, after staying a month, he returned to the First Company of the Battalion. In October he was back in the ''Thalaba'' and in December returned to the Company of the Battalion, having transferred to the post of Guard of the Municipality of Valparaíso. Combate Naval Iquique-Thomas Somerscales

Combate Naval Iquique-Thomas Somerscales

Due to his impeccable service record, upon the declaration of the

War of the Pacific The War of the Pacific (), also known by War of the Pacific#Etymology, multiple other names, was a war between Chile and a Treaty of Defensive Alliance (Bolivia–Peru), Bolivian–Peruvian alliance from 1879 to 1884. Fought over Atacama Desert ...

, he was assigned to the corvette ''Esmeralda''. On May 21, 1879, the ''Esmeralda'', along with the ''Covadonga'', blockaded the Peruvian port of

Iquique Iquique () is a port List of cities in Chile, city and Communes of Chile, commune in northern Chile, capital of both the Iquique Province and Tarapacá Region. It lies on the Pacific coast, west of the Pampa del Tamarugal, which is part of the At ...

. After the lookout of the ''Covadonga'' spotted the Peruvian ships ''Huascar'' and ''Independencia'', Aldea joined the gunners and took over their combat post. After an hour of combat, the Peruvian Commander

Miguel Grau Seminario Miguel María Grau Seminario (27 July 1834 – 8 October 1879) was a Peruvian Navy officer and politician best known for his actions during the War of the Pacific. He was nicknamed "Gentleman of the Seas" for his kind and chivalrous treatment ...

ordered the ''Huascar'' to ram the Esmeralda.

References

1853 births 1879 deaths Chilean sailors People from Chillán Chilean military personnel killed in action Military personnel killed in the War of the Pacific Chilean Navy personnel of the War of the Pacific People from Valparaíso {{Chile-bio-stub

Early life

Career

See also

References