![\"Comodoro](\"http:\/\/www.recoletacemetery.com\/images\/200807E29.jpg\" "\\"Comodoro")
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One of six grandchildren of President Bernardino Rivadavia, Mart\u00edn began his military career at the age of 13. Training in Buenos Aires, Rivadavia managed to see a bit of action during the war with Paraguay<\/a> in the 1860s but had a change of heart on his return home. Rivadavia left the Army & enlisted in the Navy. At the time, the Argentine military formed a single, combined unit with both Army & Navy reporting to the same commanding officers.<\/p>\n Rivadavia’s first naval assignment involved a patrol of Patagonia against incursions from Chile, following the expedition by Comodoro Luis Py<\/a>. He rose in rank quickly, & in 1888 Rivadavia was given command of the corvette “La Argentina” which lead the first training mission for new cadets. The next command for Rivadavia was the cruiser “25 de Mayo” & he took the ship to Europe in 1892, representing Argentina during celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Columbus.<\/p>\n In 1896, Rivadavia received the rank of Commodore & was put in charge of the armed forces. After the separation of the military, President Roca appointed Rivadavia as Minister of the Navy & entrusted him to command a voyage to Patagonia so Roca could improve strained relations with his Chilean counterpart. [Photo below courtesy of HISTARMAR<\/a>]:<\/p>\n In gratitude for Rivadavia’s service during this historic mission, obligatory military service in the Navy was granted prior to that in the Army obtained a few years later by Pablo Riccheri<\/a>:<\/p>\n In 1901, Rivadavia had a severe fall, breaking two ribs in the process & suffering a lot of internal damage. Surgery failed to improve his condition & Rivadavia died at the age of 49. At the time of Rivadavia’s death, President Roca had sent his Vice-President Norberto Quirno Costa to Patagonia for the official foundation of a coastal town. They decided to name the new settlement Comodoro Rivadavia in remembrance of Mart\u00edn, who was often present in the region. Today, Comodoro Rivadavia<\/a> is the largest city in Patagonia with production\/export of petroleum & natural gas driving regional growth.<\/p>\n Whether due to the effects of time, carelessness or deliberate vandalism (although rare in Recoleta Cemetery), the glass panes behind the wrought-iron doors to the vault have been broken. Someone covered Rivadavia’s casket with a sheet of plastic for protection, but the condition of the vault today hardly reflects the service given by one of Argentina’s military best… and who would leave a shoe inside??<\/p>\n One of six grandchildren of President Bernardino Rivadavia, Mart\u00edn began his military career at the age of 13. Training in Buenos Aires, Rivadavia managed to…<\/p>\n![\"Roca](\"http:\/\/www.recoletacemetery.com\/images\/RocaRiva.jpg\" "\\"Roca")
<\/p>\n![\"Comodoro](\"http:\/\/www.recoletacemetery.com\/images\/200805A08.jpg\" "\\"Comodoro")
<\/p>\n![\"Comodoro](\"http:\/\/www.recoletacemetery.com\/images\/200805A07.jpg\" "\\"Comodoro")
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