Antonio de los Reyes Correa

Infobox Military Person
name=Antonio de los Reyes Correa
lived= c. 1665-June 9, 1758
placeofbirth= Arecibo, Puerto Rico
placeofdeath= Puerto Rico


caption=Capt. Antonio de los Reyes Correa
nickname=El Capitan Correa
allegiance= Spanish Army
serviceyears=
rank=
Captain
commands=The Arecibo militia
unit=
battles= Fought the British in Arecibo, Puerto Rico
awards="La Medalla de Oro de la Real Efigie" (The Gold Medal of the Royal Image)
relations=

Capt. Antonio de los Reyes Correa also known as El Capitán Correa (c. 1665-June 9, 1758) born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, was a Puerto Rican soldier who defended the town of Arecibo from a British invasion.

Early years

The son of Joseph Rodriguez Correa and Francisca Rodriguez de Valez Colon, he was in charge of the small militia that fought to protect the city of Arecibo, Puerto Rico from a British attack on August 5, 1702.

Defense of Arecibo

During the early part of the 18th century the United Kingdom was at war with Spain, and Great Britain ordered an attack on the Spanish possessions in the New World. On August 5, 1702, two British warships approached the coastal town of Arecibo. Two smaller boats with a company of British soldiers landed on Arecibo's beach. The Puerto Rican militia - headed by Correa - had only thirty men, armed with just spears and machetes, who fought the British, who were better armed with muskets and swords. At the end of the battle there were twenty-two British dead on land and 8 at sea, including the captain in charge of the troops that landed, who had died in the hands of Correa. Correa himself was wounded but the British left and the city of Arecibo was saved - as a result Correa was declared a national hero.

Honors

Correa was awarded "La Medalla de Oro de la Real Efigie" (The Gold Medal of the Royal Image), by King Philip V of Spain and given the title of "Captain of Infantry" on September 23, 1703. Capt. Antonio de los Reyes Correa died on June 9, 1758.

Arecibo is known as the "Villa del Capitan Correa" (Captain Correa's Village), an honour bestowed by the people of the town.

ee also

*List of famous Puerto Ricans

External links

* [http://welcome.topuertorico.org/city/arecibo.shtml Captain Correa]