US Army, spanish-american war, Frank Brito 

Born: August 24, 1877 

Died: April 22, 1973

Frank Brito was Born and raised in Pinos Altos, New Mexico. He was the son of Santiago Brito, a Yaqui Indian mine owner and stagecoach operator originally from Janos, Mexico. At age 20, Brito and his brother, Jose, enlisted as volunteer privates on May 6, 1898.  His occupation was listed as “miner.” 

Brito and his brother were chosen to be part of the famed 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, also known as the “Rough Riders,” because they knew how to ride and shoot. They were shipped to San Antonio, Texas, where they were drilled in cavalry basics. Because he was bilingual in speaking, reading, and writing Spanish, Frank was placed in charge of the stockade, which was established to deal with potential Spanish POWs. To his pleasure, Brito met Theodore Roosevelt and was nicknamed “Monte” by him, short for “Montezuma.” 

Unfortunately, Brito never made it to Cuba, remaining in Tampa with the stockade, most of the horses, his troop, and three other troops. H was not able to go to Cuba because of a shortage of space aboard the transport ships. Brito later served in the U.S. Army National Guard and was deployed to Columbus, New Mexico immediately after Pancho Villa’s 1916 raid on the city. Brito’s unit was released when Villa went deeper into Mexico. 

Brito retired from law enforcement and spent his later life enjoying his family and friends. He enjoyed talking about his Spanish American War years and was interviewed many times by magazines, newspapers, and historians. He was appointed as a Colonel and Aide-de-Camp to New Mexico Governor David F. Cargo on July 8, 1968, for his longevity as the sole remaining New Mexico Rough Rider and for many years of public service. 

Frank C. Brito died on April 22, 1973, the penultimate Rough Rider to endure. He was 96 years old.

Images & Documents

Notes:

Featured Image:

Brito, F. (n.d.). Frank Brito of Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, 1898. https://www.spanamwar.com/Brito.html