Two Overseas War fighters from the counties of Faro and Olhão, both residents of Olhão and members of the Olhão Nucleus of the Liga dos Combatentes, will be honored by the President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, at the ceremony on June 10th – Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities, which this year they take place at Terreiro do Paço, in Lisbon.
António Vitório Barriga Alves Nunes was part of the 3rd Company of the Battalion of Hunters 4613/RI 16, as 1st Corporal Auxiliary Nurse, having served in Angola between 1972 and 1974. He served in the GNR for 26 years and retired with the post of Cape.
In his note of praise, it can be read: “I praise the 1st Corporal Auxiliary Nurse (…) for the enthusiasm, dedication and spirit of sacrifice he has shown in the operational activity in which he has participated in one of the most difficult areas of Northern Angola . (…) It is also worth noting the abnegation he showed when a column was heavily ambushed, sparing no efforts in providing first aid to the wounded and continuing to assist them with the greatest zeal and dedication until their evacuation the following day ”.
José António Baptista Santana is a native and resident of Fuzeta. This soldier operator of river engines was mobilized to Mozambique in 1972, having been sent to the north of the country, in order to integrate the 1st Engineering Company. He spent about 17 months in areas with high guerrilla activity.
In a scenario of war, exposed to various dangers, he stood out with an act of bravery, as can be seen in the respective praise: “(…) he showed qualities of courage, cold-bloodedness, aggressiveness and serene energy under fire and contempt for life, when integrated into a column in northern Mozambique, the vehicle in which he was following fell isolated in an ambush. All his comrades were out of combat after the first rounds, so he reacted automatically to enemy fire by himself, achieving through his efficiency, courage, bravery and daring (...) to save his comrades' lives and prevent the opponent from taking over of the armament and contents of the vehicle”.
These now distinguished ex-military soldiers will be accompanied at the June 10 ceremony by leaders of the Olhão Nucleus of the Liga dos Combatentes.
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