Eusebio Felix Gonzales and his military history

Have you ever read an astounding statement that you wanted to confirm for your own peace of mind? This morning, I was there. There were three (3) pieces to a puzzle that interested me in my ongoing research quest for Silvan family history and today was the day.

Eusebio Gonzales was born in 1881 in Fuentesauco, Zamora, Spain. He married my great Aunt Crestencia (Christina) Silvan in 1906. They began their family in 1908. It has been told that he served in the Spanish Cavalry under Generalissimo Francisco Franco and a few years later was offered the honor to become a Marques by the King of Spain -- a letter he'd hoped to have translated only to be destroyed before he knew what the letter contained. It was sad to hear the person who destroyed the letter might have been my own great grandmother,who was jealous of her brother in law. I do not question the who, but the what he was offered. A medal? A Marques-ship? A commendation?

1. Francisco Franco was 10 years old when Eusebio was military age. He became the Fascist leader during the Spanish Civil War in 1936 and remained as the dictator until 1973. Eusebio was in the King's Army, but not under Franco. I am looking for his military records.

2. It is true a king can bestow the rank of 'Marques' on a person, but rarely does and it is always only offered to a nobleman. A king could never bestow that rank on a commoner for any reason.

3. I painstakingly studied any and all medals and commendations made for military service in that time period. When King Alfonso VIII took control in 1902 from his mother/regent Queen Maria Christina, a medal was established but it is unclear if it was used to honor military service members. More research is required there. I found a Royal Cavalry Armory, General Military Archives and Archivos General de Indies plus the Spanish Military Arvhives in Segovia to check further. Family records indicate he entered the military service in Valladolid, north of Fuentesauco. There is a museum there at the Plaza de Zorrila that holds a library of books....

There is a chance that a portrait of Eusebio Gonzales in full military uniform exists. Having that photographed copy with me while in Spain next June might definitely help me find out what the military insignia points me toward.