In the center of the grassy divider of Avenida Madero, directly in front of the Palacio Municipal in Chapala, stands a stark stone of pale gold cantera with six names engraved in black. To the left of the names is the simple-but for Mexicans, profound-statement "Se Murió por la Patria" ("He died for the country.") These are the names of Los Niños Héroes-"the heroic youth"-who are honored in México every September 13.
September is México's "Mes de la Patria," its most patriotic month, when many heroes of México are honored, and when their Independence Day and the famous "Grito" ceremony occur.
The Irish St. Patrick's Brigade, who fought with the Mexicans during the Mexican-American War, is honored on September 12. Most were executed on September 13, but are honored September 12 since the Niños Héroes are honored on September 13. The "Grito" ceremony begins September 15, culminating with the Independence Day celebrations on September 16.
We've all driven, ridden, or walked down a Calle Niños Héroes, because every town and city in México has one. Most people know they were military-school cadets who died defending Chapultepec Castle in the final battle of the Mexican-American War. It was a war that cost México 40 percent of her territory and hundreds of thousands of lives. Who were these cadets, and why are they so revered by the Mexican people?
The oldest, Juan Escutia from Tepic, Nayarit, died at age 20 attempting to prevent the Mexican flag from falling into U.S. hands. When Americans lowered the flag, the already mortally wounded Escutia threw his body across it while U.S. troops continued to riddle him with bullets.
Francisco Márquez of Guadalajara, at age 13, was the youngest casualty. He lacked one day of completing eight months in the academy. His body, also bullet-ridden, was found very near to that of Juan Escutia's.
Fernando Montes de Oca, from Azcapotzalco in the Federal District, entered the academy at age 16, immediately after the U.S. invasion of México. His desire was to graduate into the military as an officer to defend his country. He never graduated, but still died valiantly in defense of his country at age 18, when he leapt from a window while attacking a group of American soldiers.
Vicente Suárez, from Puebla, entered the academy at age 15. In his role of sentinel, Suárez was one of the first to die. After he was shot, he continued fighting until a bayonet killed him. He was 17.
Agustín Melgar of Ciudad Chihuahua died at age 18. While attempting to defend the stairway of the north lookout tower, he was shot in the leg. He continued fighting, being wounded a second time in the arm. Melgar was finally defeated in hand-to-hand combat by a bayonet in the side, although he didn't die immediately. A compassionate U.S. Army surgeon tended his wounds and tried to save his life by amputating the shattered leg. However, the Mexican wounded were left unattended in the infirmary. Two days later, the academy's chaplain found Agustín dead on the floor, where he'd bled to death.
Juan de la Barrera, born in México City to a military officer father, actively entered the military as a soldier at age 12. At 13, he was promoted to sub-lieutenant in an artillery brigade for bravery and outstanding conduct. Desiring a military career as an officer, Juan felt he'd be more effective if he attended the academy to learn tactics, strategy, etc., and received permission to do so. He also studied engineering, and helped design and construct the fortifications around Chapultepec Hill. He'd achieved the rank of teniente (lieutenant) and was nearing graduation, when U.S. troops stormed the hill to capture the academy in Chapultepec Castle.
Juan de la Barrera was defending the entrance to the woods at the base of the hill, where his bullet-filled body was later found. He was 19.
I'm not certain why capturing the military academy was of strategic importance to the U.S., since México's president and other leading government officials were already U.S. prisoners, and the capitol was under U.S. military control. Perhaps it was to demoralize México even more. Many youth as young as 12 and 13 served and died in the Mexicanmilitary. I believe the young men who died defending Chapultepec are so highly honored because they were students, not active-duty soldiers, and because they were the last holdouts, refusing to surrender and fighting courageously to the death for their homeland.
