37th Infantry Presidential Guard Battalion

37th Infantry Presidential Guard Battalion
Batallón de Infantería N° 37 Guardia
A Soldier of the Caldas Engineering Company of the Presidential Guard.
Active 16 August 1928 (1928-08-16)
Country  Colombia
Branch National Army of Colombia
Type Honor Guard
Infantry
Cavalry
Role Ceremonial Guard
Public Security
Garrison/HQ Bogotá
Motto(s) “En Defensa del Honor Hasta la Muerte” (“In defense of honor till death”)
Commanders
Current
commander		 Lt. Col. Wilson German Hernandez Viveros[1]

The 37th Infantry Presidential Guard Battalion (Spanish:Batallón de Infantería N° 37 Guardia) is the President of Colombia's honour guard service regiment under the National Army of Colombia. It is composed of five companies, a historical company and one artillery battery plus a military band, a fanfare trumpet section and a Corps of Drums. It is stationed at the Casa de Nariño in Bogotá and carries the traditions of Simon Bolivar's infantry guards company raised in the midst of the Spanish American wars of independence in 1815.[2]

History

A formation of the Battalion at the entrance to the Weapons Court of the Nariño Palace

In June 1814, the President of the Second Republic of Venezuela Simón Bolívar, inspected the Guard of Honor upon his return to Santa Fe. This guard provided the basis for the 37th Infantry Presidential Guard Battalion.

On December 7, 1927, President Miguel Abadía Méndez signed a decree officially founding the Presidential Guard.[3] On August 16, 1928, the battalion was given its current name, with its first commander being Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Perea Sanclemente. Memorable actions of this battalion are remembered such as the protection given to the president during the violent acts of the Bogotazo (April 9, 1948) and during the Palace of Justice Siege on November 6, 1985.[4] Resolution 3446 of August 17, 1955, created the medallion “Guardia Presidencial” and Decree 1880 of 1988 ruled the award merits for this prize given to the distinguished members of the battalion for their loyalty, service and good behavior

Functions

The Battalion provides security to the Presidency of Colombia by meeting the requirements by the Secretary of Security of the Presidency of Colombia.

The Fergusson Company is in charge of providing guards of honor during military ceremonies (parades, state visits, funeral honors, and guard changing ceremonies). The changing of the guard ceremony takes place on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. in the Casa de Nariño.

Composition

The Military band of the battalion at the Monument of Fallen Soldiers and Police in Bogotá. May 2009

The battalion is part of 13th Infantry Brigade of the Army's 5th Division, and is composed of 1,400 people: 29 officers, 116 NCOs, 1,189 soldiers and 66 civilian personnel, it is subdivided into several companies:

  • Battalion HQ Company
  • Córdoba Infantry Company
  • Rondon Cavalry Squadron
  • Ricaurte Artillery Battery
  • Caldas Engineering Company (named after Francisco José de Caldas)
  • Fergusson Company
  • Military band
  • Corps of Drums and Fanfare Section
  • Foot Guards Company of the Presidential Military Household
  • Santander Training Company
  • Nariño Training Company
  • 3rd AFEUR Company (Special Forces)

Their headquarters are located in front of the building of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit on the south side of the palace. Their motto is “En Defensa del Honor Hasta la Muerte” (“In defense of honor till death”).

List of Commanders

  • Lieutenant Colonel Luis Fernando Londoño Villamizar - (2008)
  • Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Jose Dangond - (January 2013)

See also

References

  1. ↑ https://ejercito.mil.co/index.php?idcategoria=385880
  2. ↑ https://www.ejercito.mil.co/?idcategoria=277533
  3. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20111217002443/http://web.presidencia.gov.co/sp/2008/agosto/15/01152008.html
  4. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20111217002443/http://web.presidencia.gov.co/sp/2008/agosto/15/01152008.html
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