Jose Millan Astray (5 July 1879-1 January 1954) was a Spanish general and the first commander of the Spanish Legion.
Biography[]
Jose Millan Astray was born in A Coruna, Galicia, Spain on 5 July 1879, and he entered the Spanish Army in 1895 as a Second Lieutenant. During a rebellion in the Philippines, he defended San Rafael from 2,000 rebels with just 30 men, making him a war hero. During the Rif War in Morocco, he lost his left arm and right eye, and he habitually wore an eyepatch on his right eye and a white glove on his right hand when appearing in public. Millan became known as a chauvinist and a reckless and ruthless person, and he was a staunch supporter of fascist leader Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War. In 1936, he famously debated with Spanish poet Miguel de Unamuno, proclaiming "Death to intelligence! Long live death!" He died in 1954.