Carlos Mezzano

Carlos Mezzano Camino (1 January 1902 – 20 May 1991) was a Chilean Army general who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army from March 1953 to June 1954.

Early life

Mezzano was born in Santiago, Chile, on 1 January 1902, the son of Agustín Olcese Mezzano and Carmen Camino.

He married Raquel Bennett Leay (6 June 1905 – 11 April 2006), a native of Valdivia, Chile. They had five children: Raquel (1927–2007), Virginia (1928–2008), Carlos (–2010), Alicia (died 2018), and a fifth child.

Military career

In 1916, aged 14, Mezzano entered the Military Academy as a cadet. Four years later, he graduated as a second lieutenant of infantry.

His first assignment was with the 14th Infantry Regiment Caupolicán, after which he served at the Military Academy. As a captain, he served with the 6th Infantry Regiment Chacabuco in 1930.

After graduating from the Chilean Army War Academy in 1936, Mezzano returned to the Caupolicán Regiment. He qualified as a staff officer and was subsequently assigned to the general staff of the IV Army Division.

Holding the rank of major, he served with the 2nd Infantry Regiment Maipo and at the Infantry School. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel while serving at the latter institution and later returned to the Caupolicán Regiment as its commander.

After completing 25 years of military service, Mezzano was transferred to Army Headquarters. In 1947, he was assigned to the Army General Staff.

As a colonel, he served as director of the Infantry School and secretary of the Army High Command. In 1951, he was appointed military attaché at the Chilean Embassy in Argentina.

Mezzano later served as director of the Military Geographic Institute, during which time he was promoted to general.

On 11 March 1953, President Carlos Ibáñez del Campo appointed him Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army. During his tenure, he travelled to the United States on an official invitation from the United States government. Later that year, he attained the rank of General of the Army.

Mezzano remained commander-in-chief until 10 June 1954, when he retired from the Army.

He died in Santiago, Chile, on 20 May 1991, aged 89.

Military ranks

Mezzano's promotions in the Chilean Army were as follows:

• 1916: Cadet
• 1919: Ensign
• 1920: Second lieutenant
• 1925: Lieutenant
• 1930: Captain
• 1936: Major
• 1941: Lieutenant colonel
• 1946: Colonel
• 1952: Brigadier general
• 1953: Major general
• 1953: General of the Army