Santiago Danus

Santiago Danús Peña (born 11 April 1896) was a Chilean Army general who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army from November 1952 to March 1953. He later served as Intendant of Santiago Province from 1953 to 1954.

Early life

Danús was born in Santiago, Chile, on 11 April 1896, the son of Pedro Danús Sureda and Francisca Peña Guzmán.

Military career

In 1911, Danús began his military career when he entered the Military Academy as a cadet. He graduated as a second lieutenant of infantry and, in 1916, received his first assignment to the 10th Infantry Regiment Lautaro, where, apart from a brief interval, he remained for five years.

In 1925, he served with the 12th Infantry Regiment Pudeto and subsequently entered the Chilean Army War Academy. He was promoted to captain and qualified as a staff officer on 4 February 1930.

After attaining the rank of major, Danús served as secretary of the Valparaíso Garrison Command. He was subsequently transferred to the Army General Staff, while also teaching at the Chilean Army War Academy and the Military Academy.

In 1935, as a lieutenant colonel, he was appointed secretary of the Directorate of Military Training Establishments. The following year, he participated in an equestrian course at the Cavalry School. After completing 25 years of military service, he was appointed director of Recruitment and National Marksmanship and chief of staff of the II Army Division.

As a colonel, Danús served as director of the Infantry School and was subsequently appointed military attaché at the Chilean Embassy in Mexico.

Upon returning to Chile, he served successively as chief of staff of the III and II Army Divisions.

Promoted to brigadier general in 1946, Danús served as commander of the III Army Division, director of personnel, commander of the II Army Division, and commander-general of the Santiago Garrison.

In 1951, he was appointed military attaché at the Chilean Embassy in the United States. After returning to Chile, he became chief of the Army General Staff.

On 3 November 1952, President Carlos Ibáñez del Campo appointed Danús Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army. He remained in command until 11 March 1953, when he retired from the Army.

Intendant of Santiago

Several months after his retirement from the Army, President Carlos Ibáñez del Campo appointed Danús Intendant of Santiago Province on 19 June 1953. He remained in office until 14 October 1954, when he was succeeded by Gustavo Luco Rojas.

Military ranks

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

• 1911: Cadet
• 1915: Ensign
• 1916: Second lieutenant
• 1920: Lieutenant
• 1925: Captain
• 1930: Major
• 1935: Lieutenant colonel
• 1940: Colonel
• 1946: Brigadier general
• 1950: Major general
• 1952: General of the Army