and the surrender of the PNV, the "Isaac Puente" battalion continued fighting, becoming the 1st Battalion of the 156th Mixed Brigade (former 3rd Basque Brigade) within the 1st Basque Division. After visiting Solares and Torrelavega, the battalion withdrew to Asturias, where it fought in September and October, standing out in the Battle of El Mazuco. In this battle, the battalion was decorated with the Medal of Freedom (highest distinction of the Second Spanish Republic) awarded by Belarmino Tomás, president of the Sovereign Council of Asturias and León, to the commander of the battalion, Antonio Teresa de Miguel. After fighting until the end in Asturias and before the imminent final collapse of the Northern Front, part of its men evacuated by sea, managing to escape the siege and reach the coast of France to fight again in Catalunya in different units. Tributes In July 2006 several members of the battalion participated in a tribute to the Euzko Gudarostea, including Félix Padín Gallo, Marcelino Bilbao and Francisco Alonso Uriarte. References Confederación Nacional del Trabajo Defunct anarchist militant groups Left-wing militant groups in Spain Military units and formations of the Spanish Civil War Military units and formations established in 1936 Military units and formations disestablished in 1937 Confederal militias