João Manuel Mena Barreto

João Manuel Mena Barreto (24 January 1824 – 12 August 1869) was a Brazilian Brigadier throughout the Uruguayan War and Paraguayan War. He was known for his service at the Battle of São Borja, rescuing the civilian populace from the Paraguayan forces before getting killed in action at the Battle of Piribebuy.

Biography He was the legitimate son of and Maria Joaquina de Almeida. He married Maria Balbina Palmeiro da Fontoura, on 27 August 1849.

He participated in the Uruguayan War, being promoted to colonel, by merit, on 18 February 1865 after the Siege of Paysandú.

He was then to Paraguay in the first half of 1865 as the commander of the 1st Battalion of Volunteers for the Homeland, as he was informed of the invasion of Rio Grande do Sul His death infuriated the Brazilian commander Count of Eu, who ordered the beheading of Colonel Pablo Caballero and the political chief of the village, Patrício Marecos.

Awards Medal of the Oriental State Campaign (1851 - 1852) Order of Christ, knight (1858) Order of São Bento de Aviz, knight (1860) , knight (1860) Order of the Cruzeiro, officer (1865) Order of the Rose (1869) Foreign Awards Medalha de Mérito Militar