Antonio de los Reyes Correa
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Capt. Antonio de los Reyes Correa also known as El Capitan 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.
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[edit] 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 an English attack on August 5, 1702.
[edit] Defense of Arecibo
During the early part of the 18th century England was at war with Spain, and England ordered an attack on the Spanish possessions in the New World. On August 5, 1702, two English warships approached the coastal town of Arecibo. Two smaller boats with a company of English 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 English, who were better armed with muskets and swords. At the end of the battle there were 22 English 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 English left and the city of Arecibo was saved - as a result Correa was declared a national hero.
[edit] 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.
