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Niños Héroesby Terry Sovil
Niños Héroes were: Juan de la Barrera who enlisted at the age of 12 and was admitted to the Academy on 18 November 1843. He was a lieutenant in the military engineers 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 between 1828 and 1832. He was admitted to the Academy on 8 September 1847. Legend says this cadet wrapped himself 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. Francisco Márquez was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, in 1834. He applied to the Academy on 14 January 1847. A note included in his personnel record says his bullet-riddled body was found on the east flank of the hill, alongside that of Juan Escutia. He was the youngest of the six. Agustín Melgar was born in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, sometime between 1828 and 1832. He applied to the Academy on 4 November 1846. A note in his personnel record explains he found himself alone trying to defend the north side of the castle. He shot and killed one and took refuge behind mattresses in one of the rooms. Grievously wounded he was placed on a table and found dead beside it on 15 September, after the castle fell. Fernando Montes de Oca was born in Azcapotzalco, currently a borough of the Federal District, between 1828 and 1832. He applied to the Academy on 24 January 1847. His personnel record reads: "Killed for his country on 13 September 1847." Vicente Suárez was born in 1833 in Puebla, Puebla. He applied to the Academy on 21 October 1845. A note in his record reads: "Killed defending his country at his sentry post on 13 September 1847. He ordered the attackers to stop, but they continued to advance. He shot one and stabbed another in the stomach with his bayonet, and was killed at his post in hand-to-hand combat. He was killed for his bravery, because his youthfulness made the attackers hesitate, until he attacked them." The bodies of the six youths were buried in Chapultepec Park in an unknown location. In 1947 their remains were found, identified and were re-interred on 27 September 1952 at the Monument to the Heroic Cadets in Chapultepec. On 5 March 1947, before the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Chapultepec, Harry S. Truman placed a wreath at the monument and spent a few silent minutes. On this visit Truman experienced crowds larger than he had seen anywhere. He returned "Vivas!" and broke away from security escorts to shake hands. He said later to the Mexican Legislature, where he pledged again his "Good Neighbor Policy", that "I have never had such a welcome in my life". He reminded a crowd of American citizens that they, too, were ambassadors. Word spread like wildfire and he became an instant hero. One Mexican engineer was quoted as saying: "One hundred years of misunderstanding and bitterness wiped out by one man in one minute. This is the best neighbor policy." When reporters asked him why he visited the monument Truman replied "Brave men don't belong to any one country. I respect bravery wherever I see it."
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On your next trip into Centro take note that the street "Miguel de la Madrid" turns into a street named "Niños Héroes" near San Pedrito. This name is often used on streets, squares or schools. The name appeared on an MXP 5000 banknote and currently on an MXN 50 coin. The Mexico City Metro station is also named after them. Who are the Niños Héroes? They were also known as "Boy Heroes" or the "Heroic Cadets". Few Mexican heroes have touched hearts as much as these six young men aged 13 to 19.
The Mexican-American war was in its final stages. The Boy Heroes stood their ground against invading forces from the U.S.A. on 13 September, 1847. It was the Battle of Chapultepec defending Mexico City's Chapultepec Castle. At the time the Castle was the Mexican army's military academy. The Castle and the hill it stands on was a strategic target. Despite its position 200' feet above the landscape there were not enough men to defend it. American forces outnumbered the Mexicans in force and weapons.
The cadets were ordered to fall back and return home by their commanders, General Nicolás Bravo and General José Mariano Monterde, but they did not. They fought until they were killed. The last survivor, Juan Escutia, leapt from Chapultepec Castle wrapped in the Mexican flag to prevent it from being taken by the enemy. Their bravery is honored by a monument at the entrance to Chapultepec Park.