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THE ITALIAN LEGACY IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
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Foreign Affairs—offered a eulogy of heartfelt eloquence, on behalf of the family and with due reverence to
the deceased hero.”
13
In the biographical sketch mentioned above, historian José Gabriel García highlights the fact that the life
of Juan Bautista Cambiaso, both in military and civilian spheres, was a model of sacrifice, dedication, and
perseverance, always in defense of the civil liberties and independence of the Dominican people. He was
consistently supportive to others, and he revered friendship and love for one’s family. He was, in short, a
true paradigm among his contemporaries. “For this reason,” García concludes in 1886, “his death has been
deeply felt, and his name will pass on to posterity framed by an aura of glory and blessed by the gratitude of
a people who recognize that they owe him a good part of the independence they now enjoy.”
14
García was certainly not wrong in his assessment of Admiral Juan Bautista Cambiaso, because, in rec-
ognition of the invaluable services that he rendered for the country, posterity has conferred upon him the
highest distinction of national hero. And his mortal remains, in keeping with Decree No. 270-86, dated April
4, 1986, were laid to rest in the National Pantheon, alongside the venerable ashes of the other heroes and
martyrs of the Dominican Republic.