Félix Arenas Gaspar Captain Félix Arenas Gaspar ( December 13 , 1891 – July 29 , 1921 ) , a Puerto Rican , was a Captain in the Spanish Army who was posthumously awarded the Cruz Laureada de San Fernando for his actions in the Rif War . The Cruz Laureada de San Fernando ( Laureate Cross of Saint Ferdinand ) is the highest military decoration awarded by the Spanish government . It is bestowed on a member of the Spanish armed forces who distinguishes himself during combat . It is Spain ' s equivalent to the American Medal of Honor . Early years . Arenas Gaspar was born in San Juan , the capital of Puerto Rico , when the island was still a Spanish colony . His father Félix Arenas Gaspar , Sr . was a captain of an artillery division stationed in the island . His family moved to Spain when Puerto Rico became a possession of the United States as an outcome of the Treaty of Paris of 1898 which concluded the Spanish - American War . They settled in the town of Molina de Aragón , where his family originally came from , and there he received his primary and secondary education . Military career . In 1906 , Arenas Gaspar entered the Military Academy of Engineers of Guadalajara , Spain and earned his degree and lieutenant of engineer ' s commission in the Spanish Army in 1911 . He was assigned to Aerostation Service and in 1913 earned his Balloon Pilot Badge . On October 1913 , he was assigned to the Aerostation Company of Tetuan and served in North Africa where he was involved in active combat . From 1914 to 1917 he attended the Superior School of War , during which time ( 1915 ) he was promoted to the rank of Captain of Engineers . In 1919 , Arenas Gaspar was given the command of the 2nd Company of Zapadores in Melilla . Melilla is a city under Spanish rule located on the Mediterranean , on the Moroccan coast . Rif War . In 1919 , a rebellion against Spanish colonial rule took place in Spanish Morocco , a Spanish protectorate in what is known as the Rif War . In July 1921 , many Spanish military outposts fell to the Riffian rebels , as part of the disaster of Annual , and Arenas Gaspar together with a Lieutenant Colonel by the name of Ugarte headed towards the town and fort of Dar Dríus . During their journey they encountered members of a Spanish squadron retreating from Dar Dríus , who informed them that the passageway was blocked . Arenas Gaspar joined the squadron , which included many of their wounded , and headed towards Monte Arruit . After helping with the wounded , Arenas Gaspar decided to go to Tistutin to defend the Spanish position there , and to re - establish the telegraph service with Monte Arruit which had been interrupted . Arena Gaspar ' s position was under constant enemy attack . He decided on the nights of July 25 and 26 , to leave his parameter and set fire to the stacks of hay which served as the enemy ' s protective barriers . A member of his company by the name of Captain Aguirre and a squad of riflemen provided Arena Gaspar with the necessary firepower to cover him . He was severely burned when one the gasoline tanks which he was carrying blew up , but not before he killed ten of the enemy . On July 29 , the Spanish troops were ordered to retreat to the major fort at Monte Arruit . Arenas Gaspar volunteered to stay in the rear to cover the retreat with Capt . Aguirre and 200 men . They fought against the enemy until the Spanish troops were safely in Monte Arruit . Then they found themselves surrounded and outnumbered by the Riffians . They battled against the Riffians until Arenas Gaspar ordered Capt . Aguirre and the survivors to reach the Spanish position at Monte Arruit . Arenas Gaspar decided to stay and cover their retreat . Arenas Gaspar took charge of one of the artillery batteries and opened fire , which halted the enemy advance and allowed his men to reach Monte Arruit . Unfortunately one of the Riffians was able to get close enough to Arenas Gaspar , shot him in the head , and killed him . Cruz Laureada de San Fernando . Various officers who witnessed the actions of Arenas Gaspar requested that he be posthumously awarded the Cruz Laureada de San Fernando . In 1924 , Capt . Félix Arenas Gaspar was awarded the Cruz Laureada de San Fernando ( Laureate Cross of Saint Fernand ) , the highest military decoration awarded by the Spanish government . Legacy . On July 5 , 1928 , King Alfonso XIII of Spain unveiled a bust with the likeness of Capt . Félix Arena Gaspar and named a street n his honor in the town of Molina de Aragon . In 1956 , the city of Guadalajara named a street in his honor . In Melilla , Morocco the military barracks " Capitán Arenas " was named in his honor . He is featured in the " Who ' s Who in Ballooning . "