Patricio Montojo y Pasarón

Patricio Montojo
Nickname(s)"The fighting Montojo", "The Hispanic Burden" by George Dewey.
Born(1839-09-07)September 7, 1839
Ferrol, Province of A Coruña
DiedSeptember 30, 1917(1917-09-30) (aged 78)
Madrid, Community of Madrid
Allegiance Spain
Branch Spanish Navy
Years of service1855–1899
Rank Contraalmirante
(Rear Admiral)
CommandsPacific Squadron
Battles / warsChincha Islands War

Spanish–American War

Patricio Montojo y Pasarón (September 7, 1839 – September 30, 1917) was a Spanish Navy officer who commanded Spain's Pacific Squadron based in the Philippines during the Spanish–American War. Considered a man of high ability and experience, he was given the difficult task of defending the Spanish Philippines with a small navy and low supplies against a larger U.S. Asiatic Squadron. Despite his valor and determination, Montojo's navy was defeated at the decisive Battle of Manila Bay by a United States Navy squadron under Commodore George Dewey. He was later held accountable for the defeat and was court-martialed in Spain. Although the decision was later overturned, Montojo was still discharged from the Spanish Navy.