Heroes

The Niños Héroes (in English: Boy Heroes), also known as the Heroic Cadets or Boy Soldiers, were six Mexican teenage military cadets. These cadets died defending Mexico at Mexico City's Chapultepec Castle (then serving as the Mexican Army's military academy) from invading U.S. forces in the 13 September 1847 Battle of Chapultepec, during the Mexican–American War. One of the cadets, Juan Escutia,wrapped himself with the Mexican flag and jumped from the roof of the castle to keep it from falling into enemy hands.[1]

The Niños Héroes were:

Juan de la Barrera (age 19)
Juan Escutia (age 15–19) (?)
Francisco Márquez (age 13)
Agustín Melgar (age 15–19) (?)
Fernando Montes de Oca (age 15–19) (?)
Vicente Suárez (age 14)
Contents [hide]
1 Military service
2 Biographies
3Interments and memorial
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Military service
Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the Heroic Cadets Memorial in Chapultepec Park, Mexico City. The monument was designed by architect Enrique Aragón and sculpted by Ernesto Tamaríz at the entrance to Chapultepec Park in 1952.[2]They resisted the invaders until most of them were killed, with accountsmaintaining that the last survivor leapt from Chapultepec Castle wrapped in the Mexican flag to prevent it from being taken by the enemy.

The cadets are honored by an imposing monument made of Carrara marble by architect Enrique Aragón and sculptor Ernesto Tamaríz at the entrance to Chapultepec Park (1952);[2] and the name Niños Héroes, along with the cadets' individual names, are commonly givento streets, squares and schools across the country. For many years they appeared on the MXP 5000 banknote. Mexico City Metro station Metro Niños Héroes is also named after them.

[edit] Biographies
Juan de la BarreraJuan de la Barrera was born in Mexico City in 1828, the son of Ignacio Mario de la Barrera, an army general, and Juana Inzárruaga. He enlisted at the age of 12 and was admitted tothe Academy on 18 November 1843. During the attack on Chapultepec he was a lieutenant in the military engineers (sappers) and died defending a gun battery at the entrance to the park. Aged 19, he was the oldest of the six.

Juan Escutia was born in Tepic (today's capital of the state of Nayarit) at some time between 1828 and 1832. Records show he was admitted to the Academy as a cadet on 8September 1847, but his other papers were lost during the assault. He is believed to have been a second lieutenant in an artillery company. This cadet wrapped himself up in the flag and jumped from the roof to keep it from falling into enemy hands. His body was found on the east flank of the hill, alongside that of Francisco Márquez. A large mural above the stairway painted by Gabriel Flores depicts hisjump from the roof with the Mexican flag. This account has been regarded as a legend by several modern Mexican historians.[1]

Francisco Márquez was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, in 1834. Following the death of his father, his mother, Micaela Paniagua, remarried Francisco Ortiz, a cavalry captain. He applied to the Academy on 14 January 1847 and, at the time of the battle, belonged to the firstcompany of cadets. A note included in his personnel record says his body was found on the east flank of the hill, alongside that of Juan Escutia. At 13 years old, he was the youngest of the six heroes.


Statue dedicated to one of the boy soldiers, along a walkway at the top of Chapultepec Castle.Agustín Melgar was a native of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, born there at some time between 1828 and1832. He was the son of Esteban Melgar, a lieutenant colonel in the army, and María de la Luz Sevilla, both of whom died while he was still young, leaving him the ward of his older sister. He applied to the Academy on 4 November 1846. A note in his personnel record explains that after finding himself alone, he tried to stop the enemy on the north side of the castle.

Fernando Montes de Oca was...