Coronel Oviedo, Caaguazu Department, Paraguay — Virgilio Dávalos Rey, one of the last surviving veterans of the Chaco War (1932–1935), celebrated his 110th birthday on October 8th. His birthday was first reported by the Prensa 5.
Virgilio Dávalos Rey was born in the rural town of Plácido, on the outskirts of Coronel Oviedo, Caaguazu Department, Paraguay, on 8 October 1914. He was the fourth of six children born to parents Remigio Dávalos and Lorenza Rey.
At an early age, during the Chaco War (1932–1935), he applied to serve as a soldier in the War Intendancy, where he was responsible for providing logistics for the front lines, including uniforms, ammunition, medicines, and weapons. He was later assigned to the Navy, where he sailed the Pilcomayo River to conduct inspections in the conflict-ridden region. Later, he served in the Infantry Regiment No. 10 “Sauce.” The regiment’s objective was to block the advance of the Bolivians toward Fort Alihuatá. In April 1935, while on the front lines, he fell ill and was unable to continue serving as a soldier, prompting him to return to the Military Hospital for a three-month rest. After his recovery, he returned to his community of Plácido, where he was visited by his brother Narciso, also a combatant, who informed him that the war had ended.
Due to the war, he lost the hearing in one ear, and his eyesight was also affected. Once he recovered, he was called to work in the military quartermaster’s office due to his self-taught skills in writing and calculations.
At some point, he married Teresa Lopez de Davalos, with whom he had six daughters: Tomasa, Nimia, Francisca, Apolonia, Dominga, and Sara. After the war, he settled in his native Plácido, where he focused on trading local fruits, tobacco, petitgrain essence, and buying and selling cattle, among other activities.
Featured image: Ejército Paraguayo
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Virgilio Dávalos Rey on his 110th birthday.
