José Francisco Gana Castro (February 19, 1828 - August 7, 1894) was the Chilean Minister of Defense from October 15, 1890, to March 29, 1891, as well as the Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army from August 22, 1888, to September 4, 1891, and was a notable participant of the War of the Pacific before being exiled to Spain after the defeat of the Balmaceda Government.

[1] After graduating, he became a member of the French Army as artillery lieutenant until 1850 where he moved to the United Kingdom before returning to Chile in 1852.

[2] In 1878, he was one of the main advocates for the use of Armstrong guns with the next year having him commanding the Army of Valparaíso during the War of the Pacific and participating in the Battle of San Juan and Chorrillos.

[2] After Lima was occupied, Gana was made Chief of Callao as well as Commander-in-Chief of the Tarapacá Division.

[4] During the Chilean Civil War of 1891, he supported the Government of José Manuel Balmaceda but were decisively defeated at the Battle of Placilla on August 28, 1891.