Candelaria Pérez

Candelaria Pérez was a Chilean soldier who served in the War of the Confederation (1836–39) against the Peru–Bolivian Confederation. She took up a rifle and fought alongside the troops she served with. She was considered the hero of the Battle of Yungay, during which she led an assault against the entrenched Confederate troops. She was given official recognition and the rank of sergeant after the battle, following her reception by the public as a hero. Thereafter she was publicly known as "Sergeant Candelaria".