Félix Giralt Martínez

Surgeon of the Liberation Army.

He was born in the City of La Habana. Cousin of Colonel Néstor Aranguren. He studied Medicine at the Universidad de la Habana.

He entered the Liberation Army on February 7, 1896, joining the General Staff of Brigadier General Pedro Díaz, chief of the 3rd Brigade 2nd Division 5th Corps, at the Laguna de Ariguanabo, near San Antonio de los Baños. Within a few days he assumed the position of health chief of the 2nd Brigade, belonging to the same division, subordinate to Lieutenant Colonel Adolfo del Castillo.

On August 5, 1896 he was transferred, in the same position, to provide services in the 1st Brigade, also of that division, under the command of Brigadier General Rafael de Cárdenas. He participated in the attack on Guanabacoa on December 1, 1896.

In 1897 he temporarily held the position of health chief of the division, under the orders of Brigadier General Alejandro Rodríguez. Subsequently he returned to the 1st Brigade, in which he finished the war. On April 30, 1897 he began an incursion through Matanzas province with his unit. On June 8, 1897, accompanied only by Aranguren, he blew up a train near the San Miguel bridge in that province.

In addition to his services as a physician, he excelled as a warrior, being a skilled rifle marksman, and fought alongside all the chiefs who operated in La Habana province. He participated in a total of 64 combat actions. On one occasion he distinguished himself as a leader, when on March 3, 1896 he attacked the enemy at a place known as Santa Emilia, while commanding a Squadron of the Adolfo del Castillo Regiment.

To Major, February 11, 1896
To Lieutenant Colonel, August 11, 1896
To Colonel, May 1, 1898.

He was discharged on July 15, 1899. He held the positions of Port and Quarantine Inspector, and worked actively against outbreaks of yellow fever and bubonic plague.

Details of his death are unknown.