Perquín, Morazán, El Salvador — Central America (West Coast)

Direct strike against the Counter-Insurgency Plan

Golpe Contundente al Plan Contra Insurgente

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, April 13, 2015

1. Direct strike against the Counter-Insurgency Plan Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Restos del helicóptero UH-1H, de fabricación Norte Americana. Derribado por las fuerzas guerrilleras a las 16.00 horas, del día 23 octubre de 1984, en las alturas cercanas al municipio de Joateca. En que murió el Teniente coronel Domingo Monterrosa Barrios y todo su estado mayor del operativo Torola IV, desarollando por las fuerzas armadas Salvadoreñas, en el departamento de Morazán.

La misión del operativo tenía como objetivos:
1. Capturar a la Comandancia de la Brigada Rafael Arce Zablah (BRAZ).

2. Capturar a la Radio Venceremos (voz oficial del F.M.L.N.)
Las fuerzas guerrilleras le aplicaron la Táctica del Caballo de Troya.

English translation:
Direct strike against the Counter-Insurgency Plan
These are the remains of a UH-1H helicopter, made in the United States of America. It was knocked down by guerrilla forces at 16:00 hours on October 23, 1984, close to the municipality of Joateca. Lieutenant Colonel Domingo Monterrosa Barrios was killed in the attack on this helicopter, together with his general staff that were part of Operation Torola IV that

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was developed in the Department of Morazán by the Salvadoran Armed Forces.
The mission of the Salvadoran Armed Forces had two main objectives:

1. Capture the leaders of the Rafael Arce Zablah Brigade.

2. Capture the Radio Venceremos (Radio “We Will Win”, official voice of the F.M.L.N.)
The guerilla forces applied the tactic of the Trojan Horse.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Wars, Non-US. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1855.

Location. 13° 57.503′ N, 88° 9.796′ W. Marker is in Perquín, Morazán. Marker is on the grounds of the Museum of the Salvadoran Revolution (Museo de la Revolución Salvadoreña). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Perquín, Morazán 03217, El Salvador. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 26 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 120 mm mortar (here, next to this marker); 75 mm cannon (here, next to this marker); French and Mexican recognition (within shouting distance of this marker); Peugeot armored car (within shouting distance of this marker); El Mozote (approx. 8.5 kilometers away); El Mozote Children's Memorial (approx. 8.5 kilometers away); First Century of Ciudad Barrios (approx. 24.4 kilometers away in San Miguel); Oscar Romero Park (approx. 24.4 kilometers away in San Miguel). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Perquín.

Regarding Direct strike against the Counter-Insurgency Plan.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, April 13, 2015

2. Direct strike against the Counter-Insurgency Plan Marker

The remains of the UH-1H helicopter can be seen behind the marker.

Lieutenant Colonel Domingo Monterrosa was the head of the Atlacatl Battalion during the time of the massacre in El Mozote. Because of this, he was a very sought-after target by the guerrilla forces in El Salvador. While there are conflicting versions of exactly what happened on October 23, 1984, the FMLN (the main guerilla force) reported that they had allowed Monterrosa to capture a booby trapped radio which exploded after the helicopter he was in reached a certain altitude. Regardless, his death, along with thirteen others, which included Lieutenant Colonel Napoleon Gerson Calito, Major Armando Azmitia (commander of the Atlacatl battalion) and Major Nelson Alejandro Rivas, was a major blow to the Salvadoran armed forces at this early part in the Salvadoran conflict which would continue until 1992.

Tomb of Lt. Col. Domingo Monterrosa Barrios, Los Ilustres Cemetery, San Salvador, El Salvador. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, November 11, 2015

3. Tomb of Lt. Col. Domingo Monterrosa Barrios, Los Ilustres Cemetery, San Salvador, El Salvador.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 509 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 3. submitted on January 26, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.