Trajectory
He was commander of the Infantry Regiment Nro.5 General Eduvigis Diaz, sitting in Bahia Negra. On August 13, 1924, Franco was promoted to captain. On February 10, 1926, he was appointed commander of the company cadets of the Military College. He was assigned important tasks, such as training new cadres of officers or troops. In November 1926, he was appointed commander of the Infantry Regiment Nr. 2, with a seat in Villa Hayes.
Thus the career of Franco stood, reaching the Paraguayan Chaco, which would be the scene of its greatest victories. In August 1928, Franco was appointed commander of the Military Aviation School. Later, he took the leadership of Infantry Regiment Nr. 5 General Diaz, with a seat in Bahia Negra. He suffered a leg injury due to an accident in his last years at the Military College, when he fell from a horse in the basement of the Cabildo. His troops called him by the affectionate nickname of "Leon Carê."
Rafael Franco spent more than 20 years outside the country. When he returned to Paraguay, he performed various jobs to survive. At one point, he was a real-estate broker.
His health had been deteriorating in his late 70s. In the last years of his life, he lived in a small room that was originally a garage located in the streets of Herrera. From there, he sometimes walked to a cafe that was located on the Avenue. There he met with old friends and comrades with whom he talked of politics and on military and social issues.
In September 1973, Franco entered the Americano Hospital because of his serious condition and did not come out alive. He was visited by Colonel Arturo Bray, with whom he maintained an enmity over 30 years. Colonel Rafael Franco died on September 16, 1973. One of the largest flower wreaths were sent by Arturo Bray. The inscription read: "To a great patriot."
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