Antonio de los Reyes Correa
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Capt. Antonio de los Reyes Correa a.k.a. El Capitan Correa (c.1665-June 9, 1758) born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, was a Puerto Rican soldier who defended the town of Arecibo from a British invasion.
The son of Joseph Rodriguez Correa and Francisca Rodriguez de Valez Colon, Correa he was in charge of the militia that fought to protect the city of Arecibo, Puerto Rico on August 5, 1702. On that day Arecibo was invaded by the British, and Reyes Correa, with a handful of militia members, fought in Arecibo's defense.
During the early part of the 18th century, England was at war with Spain, as a result the British ordered an attack on the Spanish possesions in the New World. On August 5, 1702, two British warships approached the coast of the town of Arecibo. Two smaller boats with a companyy of British soldiers landed on the shore of Arecibo's beach. The Puerto Rican militia headed by Correa, had only thirty men, armed with just spears and machetes, fought the British, who were better armed with muskets and swords. At the end of the battle, there were 22 British dead on land and 8 at sea, including the British captain in charge of the troops that landed, who had died in the hands of Correa. Correa himself was wounded but, the British left without taking it and the city of Arecibo was saved; as a result Antonio de los Reyes Correa was declared a national hero.
Antonio de los Reyes Correa was awarded "La Medalla de Oro de la Real Efigie" (The Gold Medal of the Royal Image), by King Philip V of Spain and given the title of "Captain of Infantry" on September 23, 1703.
Captian Antonio de Reyes Correa died on June 9, 1758.
Arecibo's knickname
Arecibo is also now known as the "Villa del Capitan Correa" (Captain Correa's Village), an honour bestowed the people of the town.