Mariano Castañeda

Mariano Numeriano Castañeda (20 December 1892 – 8 September 1970) was a Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 1948 to 1951 and also served as Military Governor of Cavite during World War II. He was a recipient the Philippines highest military award for courage, the Medal of Valor.

Military education and WWII service Castañeda graduated from the Philippine Military Academy on 15 November 1915, and from the Infantry School at Fort Benning, United States in 1940. He became President Manuel Quezon's aide-de-camp that same year and fought with the United States Army Forces in the Far East during the Battle of Bataan. Castañeda was conferred the Medal of Valor as a consequence of his actions that night.

Death Mariano Castañeda died in Makati City, Philippines at the age of 77 on 8 September 1970, leaving behind his wife and six children.