José Bozzano

José Alfredo Bozzano Baglietto (Asunción, Paraguay, December 7, 1895 – December 14, 1969) was a military engineer and senior officer of the Paraguayan Navy who designed the famous gunboats Paraguay and Humaitá that were used during the Chaco War in the key role of armed transport ships. In the course of the war, he was the manager of the factories which produced weapons, ammunition, trucks and other equipment for the Paraguayan Army.

Life José Alfredo Bozzano Baglietto was born on December 7, 1895, in the Asunción neighborhood of San Jerónimo, "just fifty metres from the Dockyards", which at that time were located there. The birth date is contained in official documents and was confirmed by his grandson, engineer Luis Lamas Bozzano, curiously because he gave another date (1899) "to remove a few years; pure coquetry", as stated at times his wife, Mrs. Virginia Cardozo Bozzano, In 1924, Bozzano graduated as a naval architect and engineer. He went on to graduate school and in 1925 received a master's degree in aviation engineering.

Bozzano returned to Paraguay during the constitutional government of Eligio Ayala (1924–1928). On March 9, 1925, he was appointed director of the national dockyards,

There were 4,400 truck drivers from the Paraguayan navy in the Chaco under the command of Captain Bozzano. He was appointed acting director of the military aviation on March 7, 1933, replacing Argentine World War I veteran pilot Vicente Almandos Almonacid.

Works and awards He left a brief but very valuable book of memories, Reminiscences, which recalls the history of the dockyards in the war. It started as an essay made at the request of Justo Pastor Benítez, who thought to include it in one of his historical works, but ended up being a book by its own value.

Bozzano was a Paraguayan officer heavily trained in science and technology. The design of Paraguay and Humaitá caused admiration in Britain. From 1932 to 1935 he commanded a force of 6,000 workers who forged the iron that was decisive for the outcome of the war.

When the conflict was over, Bozzano was awarded the Cruz del Chaco ("Chaco Cross"). He continued to serve to his country in different positions. During the government of Félix Paiva (1937–1939), Bozzano was appointed Minister of War and Navy on April 12, 1938, and then Minister of Economy on October 14, 1938. He also served as mayor of Asunción and a teacher at the School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences (School of Engineering) in the National University of Asunción.

The government decree that awarded him the Cruz del Chaco described captain José Bozzano as "one of the most authentic craftsmen of victory".

Death The last years of his life were spent working in the family owned shipyard at Varadero, Asunción. Captain Bozzano died on December 14, 1969.