TRIBUTE TO THE FIGURE OF GENERAL GUTIÉRREZ MELLADO

The 30th anniversary of the 23-F coup attempt has been the date chosen by the Ministry of Defence to comment on the figure of Field Marshal Gutiérrez Mellado and pay tribute to the protagonist of a gesture —that of facing up to Lieutenant Colonel Tejero in the Parliament— “which meant so much, since it showed the Spanish people how a soldier comports himself”, in the words of Ms. Carme Chacón.

Recognition of his “key” role in those moments of uncertainty and likewise in the recent history of Spain will result in the upcoming naming of a street in Madrid in his honour and the placement of a plaque in his memory on what was his place of residence.

 A reproduction of this plaque was presented to the field marshal’s eldest daughter during the tribute, which took place at Army Headquarters.  The ceremony was attended by, among others, the president of the Parliament, a representation of members of parliament and senators, the Joint Chief of the Defence Staff and the Chiefs of Staff of all three branches of the Armed Forces. 

Also taking part was Colonel Puell de la Villa, the general’s biographer, who highlighted the contributions and principal milestones in the general’s military and political career (even reaching the vice-presidency in the Adolfo Suárez government). Among these, he reminded that he led the delegation that negotiated the first military collaboration treaty with the United States, promoted the start-up of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces Social Institution, as well as, in a personal capacity, being involved in the creation of the Assistance against Drug Addiction Foundation.

The tribute will be complemented throughout 2012, the year which marks the centenary of his birth, with the organisation of various activities to bring this figure closer to the general public.