The military career of Francisco Franco Bahamonde began on 29 August 1907, when he took the oath as a cadet at the Spanish Toledo Infantry Academy. On 13 July 1910 he graduated from Infantry Academy and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Spanish Army, in the same promotion as Juan Yagüe, Emilio Esteban Infantes, Camilo Alonso Vega, José Asensio, Lisardo Doval Bravo and Eduardo Sáenz de Buruaga. He rose through the ranks over the next twenty years and became one of the most important Spanish commissioned officers of the Rif War. On 31 January 1926 Franco, aged 33, became the youngest general in all of Europe. In January 1928 he was then chosen to direct the newly formed General Military Academy in Zaragoza. From 19 May 1935 to 23 February 1936, Franco was elevated to Chief of Army Staff before the 1936 election moved the leftist Popular Front into power, relegating him to the Canary Islands as Commander of the Archipelago Force. After initial reluctance, he joined the July 1936 military coup which, after failing to take Spain, sparked the Spanish Civil War.

During the war, he commandeered Spain's colonial army in Africa and after the death of much of the rebel leadership became his faction's only leader. On 1 October 1936, in Burgos, Franco was appointed Generalissimo and Head of State. He consolidated all nationalist parties into the FET y de las JONS (creating a one-party state). Three years later the Nationalists declared victory and thereafter ruled over Spain from 1939 until his death in 1975 assuming the title Caudillo.

Styles 3 AugustOfficially since 17 September 1936.30 September 1936: "The Most Excellent Divisional general Francisco Franco Bahamonde, Member of the National Defence Board." 30 September1 October 1936: "His Excellency the Head of the State Government and Generalissimo of the Armies. 1 October19 December 1936: "His Excellency the Head of the State and Generalissimo of the Armies. 19 December 1936† 20 November 1975 : "His Excellency the Head of the State, Caudillo of Spain and the Crusade, Generalissimo of the Armies.Disputed until 1939 (Civil War).Perpetually at the head of the ranks of the Army, Navy and Air Force, Decree 3269/1975, 5 December. BOE - Spanish Official Journal no. 304, 19 December 1975, p. 26362.

Nicknames

Homo missus a Deo (A man sent from God). Providential man Sentinel of the West Crusader of the West Prince of the armies The cleanest sword of the West/Europe Supreme captain of the Race Undefeated Caesar Saviour of the Fatherland/Spain The only victor against Marxism on the field of battle The youngest general in Europe Little light of El Pardo

Dates of rank 29 August 190713 July 1910: Gentleman Cadet 13 July 191013 July 1912: Second Lieutenant 13 June 191215 March 1915: First Lieutenant 15 March 191529 June 1918: CaptainWar merit for promotion. 29 June 191831 January 1924: Commandant 31 January 19247 February 1925: Lieutenant Colonel 7 February 192531 January 1926: Colonel 31 January 192629 March 1934: Brigade General 29 March 1934 18 July 1938: Divisional General 30 September 1936 † 20 November 1975: Generalissimo of the Armies 18 July 1938† 20 November 1975: Captain General, ArmyProvision 18/07/1938, restoring the dignity of Captain General in the Army and Navy, and exalting H.E. the Head of the State on it. Spanish Official Journal. 18 July 1938† 20 November 1975: Captain General, Navy 7 October 1939† 20 November 1975: Captain General, Air Force

List of assignment 23 July 19106 February 1912: Second Lieutenant, 8th Infantry Regiment «Zamora» 19 February 191215 April 1913: Second and First Lieutenant, 68th Infantry Regiment «África» 15 April 191326 March 1915: First Lieutenant, 1st Indigenous Regular Forces of Melilla 26 March7 April 1915: Captain, Square for Service Eventualities in Ceuta 7 April 19151 January 1917: Captain, 1st Indigenous Regular Forces of Melilla 1 January1 March 1917: Captain, 1st Group of Indigenous Regular Forces of Tétouan 1 March 191727 September 1920 Commandant, 3rd Infantry Regiment «Príncipe» 27 September 19208 June 1923: Chief of the 1st Flag of the Foreigners Tercio 8 June 192311 February 1926: Chief of the Volunteers Tercio 29 April 19268 January 1928: Chief of the 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Division 8 January 192830 June 1931: Director of the General Military Academy 5 February 193229 March 1934: Chief of the 15th Infantry Brigade 29 March 193415 February 1935: Balearics General CommanderDestined in a higher level assignment. 15 February19 May 1935: High Chief of the Military Force in Morocco 19 May 193523 February 1936: Chief of Army Staff 23 February25 July 1936:Disputed (At Civil War). Ceased by the government on 19 July. Canary General Commander 25 July27 August 1936: General of the Army in Morocco and the Southern Spain 27 August30 September 1936: Chief of the Military Force in Morocco and the Expeditionary Force 30 September 1936† 20 November 1975: Commander-in-chief of the Armies/Spanish Armed Forces

Awards

Military DecorationsBiography of Francisco Franco. Fundación Nacional Francisco Franco. (In Spanish)Prieto Barrio (2001) Diccionario de cintas de recompensas españolas (desde 1700) [Dictionary of Spanish service ribbon bars (since 1700)]. Madrid: Ministerio de Defensa. .Chief and Laureate Grand Cross of the Military Order of Saint FerdinandProvision given in Madrid, on Victory Day, 19 May 1939, granting the Captain General of the Army and Navy, Generalissimo of the Armies the Grand Laureate Cross of San Fernando. BOE- Spanish Official Journal(In Spanish) Individual Military Medal Two clasps1st Class Cross (Star) of the Royal and Military Order of María CristinaTwo claspsWar Grand CrossPortrait of Franco with the band of the Grand Cross of War and his Military Medal with two clasps. Grand Cross of Military Merit with white badgeDecree granting the Grand Cross of the Order of Military Merit, with a white badge, to Divisional General Francisco Franco Bahamonde. Madrid Gazette: no. 345, of 12/11/1934, page 2,052. BOE - Spanish Official Journal Grand Cross of Aeronautical Merit with white badgePhotograph of Francisco Franco with the sash of the Grand Cross of the Aeronautical Merit. Chief and Grand CrossDisposición de 25 de marzo de 1941 [ Provision of March 25, 1941]. BOE - Spanish Official Journal of the Military Order of Saint Hermenegild 3rd Cross Class (Star) of the Military Merit with red badgeNumbering of the classes was inverse to the usual order until 1939. 3rd Cross Class (Star) of the Naval Merit with red badgeNumbering of the classes was inverse to the usual order until 1931. 2nd Class Cross (Star) of the Military Merit with red badge Three timesSuffering for the Motherland MedalClass for Wounded or Injured at War by the EnemyCommander with Star of the Military Order of Saint Hermenegild1st Class Cross (crowned simple cross with ribbon) of Military Merit with red badge Four timesCross of the Military Order of Saint Hermenegild(Military) Medal of Melilla Kert, Beur Bu-Gafar and Tétouan claspsMedal of the Peace of MoroccoThe Tercio Campaigns MedalCampaign Commemorative Medal, Morocco clasp. Created on 17 November 1931 and repealed on 27 November 1937 Gold Medal (1st class) of the 4th Centenary of the Battle of Lepanto Medal of the 4th Centenary of the Battle of Lepanto. BOE - Spanish Official Journal (1971/02/20). Acceded 24 October 2020.Collective Military Medal for the Foreigners TercioBadge of DistinctionEmbroidered with canutille and silk gold threads, shaped like the Individual Military Medal, on the left sleeve of the uniform. In its central part, on a red background, the emblem of the Third was represented instead of the national personification of Spain.:File:Generaal Franco, Bestanddeelnr 922-6568.jpg Photograph of Franco with the collective military medal distinction shield on the left sleeve.Other Badges and Military Honours Promotion Badge of Battlefield Merit or Rank AdvanceFive timesBadge of the Tercio One gold bar and four redPortrait of Franco with the Tercio Badge.Sash of the Victory 1936-193918 July 1940Donation of a Victory Sash to the Military Museum of Malaga, Fuerzas Militares.es. In Spanish Sword of the Civil War Victory20 May 1939Civil DecorationsChief and Grand Collar of the Imperial Order of the Yoke and ArrowsCivil and military orderChief of the Distinguished Order of Charles IIIChief of the Order of Isabella the CatholicChief of the Order of Civil MeritChief and Collar of the Civil Order of Alfonso X, the WiseChief of the Order of the Cross of Saint Raymond of PeñafortChief of the Order of CisnerosChief of the Order of AfricaCommander by Number of the Order of Isabella the CatholicSumú-u (Grand Cross) of the Order of the MehdauiaOrder awarded by the Khalifa of the Spanish protectorate in Morocco.Photograph of Francisco Franco with miniature medals.Other HonoursKing's Gentlemen of the Bedchamber Alfonso XIIIBadge of the Head of the National MovementIt consists of the Yoke and arrows upon three four rays stars.:File:Francisco Franco 1975 (cropped).jpg Photograph of Franco with the badge of the Head of the National Movement. Foreign DecorationsCollar of the Order of the Liberator General San MartínArgentinaCollar of the Order of Bernardo O'HigginsChile Grand Cross Extraordinary of the Order of BoyacaColombiaGrand Cross with Danica star and sash Order of the Crown of King ZvonimirCroatiaGrand Cross with Gold Breast Star of the Order of TrujilloDominican RepublicGrand Cross with Gold Breast Star of the Order of Christopher ColumbusCollar of the National Order of MeritEcuadorGrand Cross Extraordinary of the National Order of MeritCollar of the Order of the Seal of SolomonEthiopiaCommander of the Legion of HonourFranceGrand Cross of the Order of the German EagleGermanyGrand Cross of the Order of the RedeemerKingdom of GreeceGrand Cross of the National Order of Honour and MeritHaitiKnight of the Supreme Order of ChristCeremony of imposition of the Supreme Order of Christ to Franco (Madrid). Filmoteca Española (In Spanish)Holy SeeKnight of the Supreme Order of the Most Holy AnnunciationItalyGrand Cross of the Order of Saints Maurice and LazarusGrand Cross of the Order of the Crown of ItalyGrand Cordon of the Order of the ChrysanthemumJapanGrand Cordon with Brilliants of the Supreme Order of the RenaissanceState visit of the monarchs of Jordan to Spain. NO-DO. RTVE. Acceded 3 October 2020.JordanCollar of the National Order of MeritParaguayGrand Cross of the Military Order of AyacuchoCampaña Militar del 41 [41 Military Campaign]. Escuela Superior de Guerra del Ejército (Perú). Retrieved 3 October 2020.PeruChief Commander of the Philippine Legion of HonorPhilippinesGrand Collar of the Order of SikatunaSash of the Three OrdersPortugalGrand Collar of the Order of the Tower and SwordGrand Cross of the Military Order of AvizGrand Commander of the Order of RamaThailandInternational Military OrdersBailiff Knight Grand Cross of Knight of Honour and Devotion of the Sovereign Military Order of MaltaKnight Grand Cross of Justice with Collar of the Order of Saint Lazarus

Local government Álava: Vitoria:www.elcorreo.com (2009/11/28). In Spanish Francisco de Vitoria Medal (1947) (HW) Predilect Son (1936) (HW) Province of Albacete: Gold, Honor and Gratitude Medal of the Provincial Council (1958)www.abc.es (2008/11/03). In Spanish Albacete: Gold Medal (1945) (HW)Diario de León (2008/09/27). In Spanish Province of Alicante: Adopted and Predilect Son of the Province (HW)El País 2008/07/03 Alicante: Gold Medal (1966) (HW)El Ayuntamiento de Alicante retira la medalla de la ciudad y los títulos honoríficos a Franco [The Alicante City Council withdraws the medal of the city and the honorary titles to Franco]. Diario El Economista. In Spanish Denia:www.información.es 2009/07/03. In Spanish Gold Medal (HW) Adopted Son (HW) Jijona: Adopted Son (1940) (HW)www.europapress.es (2010/05/28). In Spanish