Federico Gómez de Salazar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Federico Gómez de Salazar y Nieto
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| Birth name | Federico Gómez de Salazar y Nieto |
| Born | September 29, 1912 Toledo |
| Died | January 26, 2006 (aged 93) Madrid |
| Allegiance |  Nationalist Spain |
| Service/ |
Spanish Army |
| Years of service | 1929–1982 |
| Rank | Lieutenant general |
| Unit | Regulares Blue Division |
| Commands held | División Mecanizada «Brunete» n.º 1 I Military Region |
| Battles/wars | Spanish Civil War World War II |
| Awards |  Military Medal Grand Cross of the Royal and Military Order of San Hermenegild |
| Spouse(s) | Maria Jesus Girón |
| Children | 2 |
| Relations | José Antonio Girón (father-in-law) |
| Other work | Governor-General of Spanish Sahara (1974–1976) |
Federico Gómez de Salazar y Nieto was a Spanish military officer. He was born in Toledo, Spain, on September 29, 1912. He passed away in Madrid on January 24, 2006. He fought for the Nationalist side in the Spanish Civil War.
He was also the Governor-General of Spanish Sahara. This was during a time when Morocco organized a large event called the Green March in 1975. Later, he led a special military court. This court heard the cases of soldiers involved in a coup attempt in Spain in 1981.
Contents
Early Military Career
Gómez de Salazar began his military training in 1929. He joined the General Military Academy in Zaragoza, Spain. There, he was taught by General Francisco Franco, who later became Spain's leader.
He earned his first officer rank, ensign, in 1932. The next year, 1933, he became a lieutenant. On March 24, 1937, he was promoted to captain. He was then assigned to a special unit called "Ceuta" Nº 3 of the Regulares.
Service in Wars
Gómez de Salazar took part in the Spanish Civil War. During this war, he showed great bravery while serving with the Regulares. Because of his actions, he was given the Military Medal, a high honor.
He also fought in World War II on the Eastern Front. He was part of the Blue Division (División Azul). This was a group of Spanish volunteers who fought alongside the German army. He was assigned to the 262nd Regiment within this division.
Promotions and Leadership Roles
After his war service, Gómez de Salazar continued to rise through the military ranks. In 1944, he was promoted to commander. He then studied and earned diplomas in General Staff of the Army in 1946. Later, he also received a diploma for General Staff of the Navy.
He became a lieutenant colonel in 1957 and a colonel in 1965. In 1970, he was promoted to general. He became a major general in September 1973 and reached the rank of lieutenant general in May 1976.
Governor of Spanish Sahara
In June 1974, Gómez de Salazar was named Governor-General of Spanish Sahara. This was a Spanish territory in Africa. He became widely known in November 1975 because of the Green March.
This event was organized by King Hassan II of Morocco. About 350,000 unarmed Moroccan civilians marched into the territory. Gómez de Salazar had to plan a defense. He estimated that if violence broke out, there could be around 30,000 casualties. He oversaw an emergency evacuation and removed military forces. This happened after the Madrid Accords were signed, and the process finished in January 1976.
Later Career and Retirement
In 1976, Gómez de Salazar returned to Spain. He was assigned to the General Staff. He led a military court that tried members of the Military Democratic Union (UMD). This was a secret group of military officers.
In January 1977, he was appointed Captain General of the First Military Region in Madrid. He held this important position until September 1978.
On September 23, 1981, he joined a special court. This court was set up to try those involved in the 1981 Spanish coup d'état attempt. He became the president of this court when the previous president fell ill. He continued in this role until he retired from the military on March 3, 1982.
Military Units and Assignments
Federico Gómez de Salazar served in many different military units and roles. He was part of the 37th Infantry Regiment and the Regulares of Ceuta. He also worked in the General Staff of the 31st Division and the Central General Staff.
He served as a military attaché in Spanish embassies in Turkey, Greece, and Iran. He also led the Infantry Regiment of Badajoz. He was chief of the General Staff of the Captaincy General of the Canary Islands. He also led the División Mecanizada «Brunete» n.º 1.
In military education, he taught at several academies. These included the Infantry Academy, the General Staff College, and the Naval War College.
Family and Death
Federico Gómez de Salazar was married to Maria Jesus Girón. She was the daughter of José Antonio Girón, a well-known Spanish politician. They had two children together.
Federico Gómez de Salazar died in Madrid on January 24, 2006. He was 93 years old.
See also
- In Spanish: Federico Gómez de Salazar para niños
