Juan Bautista Cambiaso
Juan Bautista Cambiaso (September 12, 1820 – June 21, 1886), né Giuseppe Giovanni Battista Cambiaso, was a Genoese-born sailor and soldier, best known for helping establish the naval forces of the nascent Dominican Republic during its war of emancipation. He was the first admiral of the Dominican Navy and is considered its founder.
Juan Bautista Cambiaso | |
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Portrait of Juan Bautista Cambiaso | |
| Birth name | Giuseppe Giovanni Battista Cambiaso |
| Born | September 12, 1820 Genoa, Savoyard State |
| Died | June 21, 1886 (aged 65) Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| Buried | National Pantheon of the Dominican Republic |
| Allegiance | Dominican Republic |
| Service/ | Dominican Navy Dominican Army |
| Years of service | 1844–1856 |
| Rank | Admiral Divisional general |
| Battles/wars | |
Throughout the Dominican War of Independence , which lasted 12 years, Cambiaso was a front-line soldier always in defense of the newly formed Dominican Republic. Later, after returning to his commercial activities, he served as Consul of Italy in the country. He was a distinguished municipality and an authentic Hero of National Independence.
Today, the Dominican Navy remembers Cambiaso by mentioning his name in its anthem along with another Italian, Juan Bautista Maggiolo who, like him, threw himself inti the front lines to maintain the independence of the Dominican Republic. The sailboat training ship of the Dominican Navy also bears the name of the First Admiral, Juan Bautista Cambiaso. His mortal remains rest in the National Pantheon of the Dominican Republic, along with the venerable ashes of the other heroes and martyrs of the Dominican Republic.