Blas de Lezo

Admiral Blas de Lezo y Olavarrieta (3 February 1689 – 7 September 1741) was a Spanish Navy officer best known for his victory at the 1741 Battle of Cartagena de Indias, where forces under his command defeated a large British invasion force under Admiral Edward Vernon. Throughout his naval career, Lezo sustained many severe wounds; he lost his left eye, complete mobility of the right arm, and had his left leg amputated in situ after being hit by the projectile of a cannon. He perceived his wounds and physical limitations as medals, refusing to wear an eye patch to hide his blind eye. Wearing his past battles’ history on his flesh won the respect of his peers and soldiers. Lezo used to say that the lack of a leg does not imply the lack of a brave heart. It is said that he sometimes recalled famous Dutch admiral Cornelis Jol, called "pegleg" because of his wooden prosthesis, as an example of a sailor who undertook great enterprises and achieved great renown, especially in piracy and privateering, despite his theoretical disability. Lezo's defense of Cartagena de Indias against Vernon's vastly larger force consolidated his legacy as one of the most prominent military commanders in naval history and in the history of Spain. He is often recognized as one of Spain's finest naval officers.