Brigadier Eduardo Gomes (1896-1981)

Eduardo Gomes was 26 years old when, in 1922, he had a gunfight with the troops of then-president Epitácio Pessoa, clearly upholding his position against the biased and fraud-swept politics of the Old Republic (República Velha) and becoming a legend of heroism in the Armed Forces and also in the country as a whole. He was born in Rio and was the son of a former Navy Officer. He had a poor childhood, entering the Military College of Realengo in 1916. In the role of lieutenant, he takes part in the movement engaged in the barracks and has a decisive role in the insurgence at the Fort of Copacabana, an episode which, in 1922, started a series of uprisings against the Federal Government. When the Presidential troops sieged the location and most of the insurgents surrendered, Eduardo Gomes did not give up and fought against the Government soldiers. He was wounded and arrested. This uprising went down in History as the Eighteen of the Fort (18 do Forte).

Fundação Getúlio Vargas/CPDOC Enlarge

• Brigadier Eduardo Gomes (1896-1981)

Later, he escaped from prison and hid in the São Paulo countryside under an assumed identity. In 1924, he returned to action, this time in São Paulo, making use of his aeronautical background to become responsible for the bombing of barracks and Government buildings in the city. Chased by Government troops, he makes his way south but, before teaming up with the group led by Luís Carlos Prestes, he is arrested once again, and was released in 1926. With the inauguration of Getúlio Vargas as President in 1930, Eduardo Gomes turns down the promotion which was bestowed on the insurgent officers and dedicates himself entirely to his military career. He also provided important help in the establishment of the Military Postal Service (Correio Aéreo Militar) which would later become the National Air Postal Service (Correio Aéreo Nacional).

As the commander of the 1st Aviation Regiment, in 1935 he participates in the repression against the Communist Uprising. Two years later, opposing the creation of the New State (Estado Novo) dictatorship, he resigns from the post, although he never leaves the Air Force. He is promoted to the post of brigadier in 1941. During the Second World War, he takes part in the organisation and construction of Air Bases in the country. For his services to the Allied cause, he receives the Legion of Merit award from the United States. With the end of the Estado Novo dictatorship, he stands for President for the National Democratic Union (União Democrática Nacional - UDN), losing to fellow military man Gaspar Dutra. His campaign slogan was: vote for the brigadier, who is handsome and single.

In 1950, he stands for the job again, being defeated by Getúlio Vargas.  Four years later, he is appointed as Minister of the Air Force, invited by President Café Filho, returning to the same position in 1964, with the military coup. He remains in the post until 1967 and passes away in Rio de Janeiro, in 1981. In 1984 he is proclaimed as the Patron of the Brazilian Air Force, appearing as a synthesis of the man who brings together, in the figure of a military man, the mission of the soldier and the belief of the citizen.

Source:
100 Brazilians Book (100 Brasileiros) (2004)