Oscar Ismael Poltronieri (born 2 February 1962) is an Argentine former soldier, who fought in the Falklands War in 1982. He is the only private who received antemortem the highest military distinction of Argentina, the Cross for Heroic Valour in Combat, for his actions during the Battle of Two Sisters.[1][2][3]
He was born in Mercedes, Buenos Aires Province, into a poor family and started work as ranch hand when he was a child, never finishing elementary school. In 1981, Poltronieri was called up for military service. With only basic instruction, he was assigned to the Sixth Infantry Regiment to fight during the conflict of the Falklands in 1982. In the last hours of the combat, ignoring an order to withdraw, he stayed with an FN MAG, single-handedly stopping an assault by the Scots Guards.[1]
After the war, he only got temporary jobs and became a beggar due to the desmalvinización, the rejection by Argentinian society of the Falklands conflict and its veterans. Nevertheless, he became the subject of recognition when his story attracted the attention of the main media of the country such as the newspaper Clarín.[4] The Argentine Army eventually incorporated him as civilian personnel at Campo de Mayo base.[5]
He is the subject of multiple tributes including a documentary about his life and songs.[6][5][7]
References edit
- ^ a b "'82 Falklands Conflict Left a Legacy of Tragedy, Hope". Los Angeles Times. 1 April 2002. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ "Argentines Reassess Their Role In Decade-Old Falklands `Mistake'". The Christian Science Monitor. 14 April 1992. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ "The Falklands War: Military Medals from Argentina and the United Kingdom". Identifymedals. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ "El soldado más condecorado de Malvinas vive en la pobreza y no tiene trabajo". Clarín. 2 April 2002. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ a b "Oscar Ismael Poltronieri, el máximo héroe de la Guerra de Malvinas". LA NACION (in Spanish). 2022-04-01. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
- ^ "El Heroe del Monte Dos Hermanas". IMDb. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ "Project of Declaration of Soldier's Day in tribute of Potronieri". Argentina Chamber of Deputies. Retrieved 26 June 2022.