Waldemar Levy Cardoso

Waldemar Levy Cardoso (December 4, 1900 – May 13, 2009) was the last living Marshal of the Brazilian Army.

This name uses Portuguese naming customs: the first or maternal family name is Levy and the second or paternal family name is Cardoso.
Waldemar Levy Cardoso
Born(1900-12-04)December 4, 1900
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
DiedMay 13, 2009(2009-05-13) (aged 108)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Allegiance Brazil
Service/branch Brazilian Army
Years of service1918-1966
Rank Marshal
UnitArtillery Battalion
Battles/warsTenente revolts
Brazilian Revolution of 1930
World War II
  • Italian Campaign

Biography

Cardoso was of Jewish Algerian-Moroccan descent and was born on Rua Evaristo da Veiga in Rio de Janeiro.

He graduated from military college at the top of his class in late-1918 (making him a World War I-era veteran although he never saw combat). In 1924, he took part in the uprising against the Brazilian Federal Government and also fought in the Brazilian Revolution of 1930.

During World War II, Cardoso – at this time a Lieutenant Colonel – commanded an artillery battalion with the Brazilian Expeditionary Force. During the Allies' Italian campaign, he was mentioned in dispatches in World War II.

He converted to Catholicism in 1953. Between 1953-54, he was the commander of the 2nd Artillery Regiment, in Itu, São Paulo.

Cardoso was promoted to Field Marshal upon his retirement in 1966. After his retirement, he acted as president of Petrobrás between March-October 1969, acting as company's counselor between 1971-85. He lived on Rua Tonelero in the Copacabana district of Rio de Janeiro.[1][2]

In 2007, at the age of 107 years, he returned to Itu to see the party of the ninetieth anniversary of the 2nd Light Artillery Group, the actual designation of the old Regiment he had commanded. He died in the Hospital Central do Exército on 13 May 2009. Upon his death, he was the last Brazilian Field Marshal, the last surviving veteran of the Brazilian Revolution of 1930, the oldest World War II veteran and the last surviving World War I veteran from Brazil.[3]

Decorations

During his career, Cardoso was awarded with several decorations,[4] including the:

Brazil
United States
  • Bronze Star
Italy
  • Croce Al Valore Militare
France
  • Croix de Guerre avec Palme

See also
  • List of centenarians
  • List of last surviving World War I veterans by country

References
  1. Lacerda Ramalho, Henrique. "Waldemar Levy Cardoso" (in Portuguese). Rivkah. Retrieved January 16, 2009.
  2. Cohen, Vivianne. "Testemunhas do Seculo" (in Portuguese). Terra. Retrieved January 21, 2009.
  3. Folha Online. "Morre no Rio, aos 108 anos, o último marechal do Exército" (in Portuguese). Retrieved January 16, 2009.
  4. Field Marshal Waldemar Levy Cardoso: Brazilian army officer, The Times, July 1, 2009.
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