José Gálvez Moreno facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
José Gálvez Moreno
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Deputy for Hualgayoc (Cajamarca) | |
| In office July 28, 1886 – October 25, 1889 |
|
| Senator of Cuzco | |
| In office April 28, 1883 – June 20, 1883 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 17, 1850 Tarma, Peru |
| Died | April 29, 1894 (aged 44) Lima, Peru |
| Spouse | Enriqueta Evens Evens |
| Parents | José Gálvez Egúsquiza Ángela Moreno y Maíz |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Peru United Kingdom |
| Branch/service |  Peruvian Navy Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1865–1885 |
| Rank | Frigate captain |
| Battles/wars | Chincha Islands War
|
José Miguel Gálvez Moreno (born in Tarma, Peru, on February 17, 1850 – died in Lima, Peru, on April 29, 1894) was a brave Peruvian sailor and politician. He is remembered as a war hero in Peru because of his important actions during the War of the Pacific. His father, José Gálvez Egúsquiza, was also a war hero who died in the Battle of Callao during the Chincha Islands War.
Contents
José Miguel Gálvez Moreno was the son of José Gálvez Egúsquiza and Ángela Moreno y Maíz. He studied at the Guadalupe College. After that, he joined the Naval Academy.
In 1865, he graduated as a midshipman, which is a junior officer in the navy. He served on the frigate América and then on the frigate Apurímac. While on the Apurímac, he fought in the Battle of Abtao. In April 1866, he was promoted to alférez de fragata, another naval rank.
After the battle on May 2, where his father died, José Gálvez Moreno helped identify his father's remains. Soon after, he left the navy to study abroad. He rejoined the Peruvian Navy in October 1870 and finished his studies at the Naval Academy.
In June 1871, he served on the corvette Unión. In October 1872, he traveled to England. He was part of a group that oversaw the building of new gunboats, the Chanchamayo and the Pilcomayo. Because the Peruvian Navy was facing problems at that time, Gálvez joined the British Navy. He took part in many battles and showed great courage.
Heroic Actions in the War of the Pacific
When the War of the Pacific began, José Gálvez Moreno asked to leave the British Navy. He returned to Peru and rejoined the Peruvian Navy. He became part of the crew of the Atahualpa, a ship that helped defend the port of Callao. He played a key role in protecting the port.
In December 1879, President Mariano Ignacio Prado traveled to the United States and Europe to get weapons. José Gálvez Moreno went with him. However, when they arrived in New York City, they learned that the president had been removed from power. Gálvez stayed in the United States for two months. When he returned to Peru, he went back to serve on the Atahualpa.
On April 10, 1880, the Chilean navy blocked the port of Callao. This meant ships could not enter or leave, and the coast was watched by the enemy. When bombardments started on April 22, José Gálvez actively helped defend the port.
On the night of May 24, he was on patrol duty in Callao Bay. He was aboard a small boat called the Independencia. At 2 AM on May 25, he faced two Chilean boats, the Guacolda and the Janequeo. During the fight, the Independencia's cannon and machine gun broke down.
The Independencia carried a powerful torpedo. The second in command, Manuel S. Ugarte, and Corporal Emilio San Martín bravely lit the torpedo and threw it onto the enemy ship. Gálvez then fired his gun at the torpedo, causing it to explode. The Janequeo sank, and the Independencia capsized. Ugarte and San Martín died instantly. The explosion threw Gálvez into the sea, but a sailor named Pedro Villanueva rescued him.
Gálvez was badly hurt. His face and hands were burned, his hair was gone, and his nose and collarbone were broken. A piece of iron pierced his arm, and he was temporarily blind. The Chileans knew he was the son of the hero of May 2. They did not want him to die on their ship, so they returned him to Callao in exchange for a Chilean prisoner.
José Gálvez Moreno slowly recovered after a long treatment. On May 28, 1880, he received the second-class Steel Cross award for his bravery. He continued fighting against Chile alongside General Andrés Avelino Cáceres in the Breña campaign. He was part of a group of young officers who helped Cáceres. In 1882, he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander.
Life After the War
After the war, Gálvez was elected as a senator for the department of Cuzco in 1883. This was during a congress held in Arequipa.
He continued to serve in the Peruvian Navy. In 1885, he became a frigate captain. He again worked with Cáceres during the civil war against Miguel Iglesias. Gálvez showed his courage again on November 25, 1885. He led a small group of brave young men to capture a train with weapons, ammunition, and food in the village of Chicla. Cáceres then used this captured transport to march his troops to Lima and remove Iglesias from power.
Gálvez also held important roles in Lima, including managing the police. He was also elected as a deputy for Hualgayoc Province. He passed away on April 29, 1894.
See also
In Spanish: José Gálvez Moreno para niños
