The Borinqueneers, the regiment of soldiers from Puerto Rico which distinguished itself in the Korean War, was honored yesterday in a ceremony at the capitol. The Borinqueneers fought in both world wars, and in Korea the men of the unit received one Medal of Honor, nine Distinguished Service Crosses, approximately 250 Silver Stars, over 600 Bronze Stars, and 2’771 Purple Hearts. On April 13th, surviving Borinqueneers and the families of those no longer living were given bronze copies of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded the regiment.
At the reception following the ceremony, former attorney general of Puerto Rico Jose Fuentes, representing the Puerto Rico Statehood Council, spoke. “It is high time that your dedication, sacrifice and loyalty to the Republic for which we stand be recognized,” he said to the Borinqueneers. “History has shown us that no U.S. warriors are more fierce than those who have been denied the freedom for which they fight.”
The Borinqueneers were one of the segregated regiments, the only Hispanic regiment from the time in U.S. history when ethnic segregation was legal. They faced racial prejudice even while serving their country. Segregation is part of our history now, but the men and women from Puerto Rico who serve their country today still cannot vote for their Commander in Chief. The people of Puerto Rico still do not have equality, largely because they do not have senators or congressional representatives, aside from a non-voting Resident Commissioner.
This shameful lack of participation in U.S. democracy does not keep the people of Puerto Rico from serving in the military in disproportionate numbers.
“In every battle the enemy paid dearly for redemption of Borinqueneers’ patriotism,” Fuentes said, “and the Puerto Rico Statehood Council now asks that we honor the 65th Infantry Regiment by recognizing one profound truth.”
Fuentes went on:
You fought and died for equal liberty and a way of life to pursue happiness with consent of the governed that those of you living in Puerto Rico don’t have today. There no longer can be any debate about it. National citizenship without the rights of citizenship in a state – including federal voting rights – can never be equal citizenship under our U.S. Constitution.
A majority of our fellow citizens in the territory voted in 2012 to seek Statehood.
To truly honor Borinqueneers we must resolve and commit that not another year will pass before our nation makes future statehood possible for 3.5 million U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico, including hundreds of thousands of veterans who fought for equal rights along with their fellow soldiers from other states in our armed forces.
Fuentes concluded, “The time has come to make the promise of the American Dream accessible to all U.S. citizens living on the Island, and culminate the promise of American Democracy by granting us Statehood now.”
Culminate the promise of American Democracy by granting PuertoRico Statehood now.
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–US 65th INFANTRY REGIMENT-the BORINQUENEERS–Summary History–
By LColonel (R) Dennis O. Freytes– former Professor of Military Science-University of Puerto Rico–
Florida Veterans Hall of Fame (by FL Governor)
Beginning: The U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment (Borinqueneers), Patriots of True Grit-“Warriors of Good”, from the US Territory of Puerto Rico (since 1898)—traces its linage from the first U.S. Infantry Battalion of Puerto Rican Volunteer Troops authorized by Congress in 1899-as they sacrificed; loyally served and bravely fought to defend our USA & Humanity!
+Spanish Ancestors/Roots/Legacy-1st Governor of PR-found/named Florida in 1513-107 years before the Pilgrims; others fought in the US War of Independence; as they brought Christianity, Horses, Cows, Pigs, etc., and helped develop our now USA.
+SONG: US 65th Infantry Regiment (copy & paste): https://youtu.be/syGdmyHQkHY
+More INFO: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/65th_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States)
In WW-I, The Selective Service Draft law was extended to PR (patriotically requested by Territory Officials)—236,853 men were registered (many volunteered); and 17,855 served, with many fighting valiantly overseas for Liberty; the U.S. 65th Infantry went to war strength of about 1969 men; defended the Panama Canal and other sites;
• Was Awarded the WW-I Victory Medal
• Besides, the Borinqueneers fired, in 1915, the first US shots of WW-I (from el Morro Castle-San Juan, PR) on the German supply ship “Odenwald”-that was captured and re-commissioned as a US Supply Ship (SS Newport News).
During War II- The 65th Infantry defended the Panama Canal & went to North Africa & Europe (Italy, France and Germany- where it saw Combat action); served as an occupation Force; was one of the last Units to return Home…
• Fought (3d Battalion-Maritime Alps at Peira Cava)-defeated German 34th Infantry Division’s 107th Infantry Regiment…
• Occupation Force—assigned dangerous anti-sabotage and other security missions (Kaiserslautern & Mannheim, Germany—where they captured/arrested Nazis Leaders, Soldiers, and Others).
Battle Campaign Awards: +Naples-Foggian + Rome-Arne +Central Europe +Rhineland Campaigns
During the Korean War, some 61,000 Soldiers from PR fought to liberate the now free Republic of Korea from North Korea and China. The U.S. 65th Infantry Regimental Combat Team (5,000+ strong); distinguished themselves over a three year period; received the following Battle Campaign awards for bravery:
+UN Defense-1950 + UN Offense-1950 +CCF Intervention-1950 +First UN Counterattack Offensive-1951 +UN and CCF Spring Offensive-1951 +UN Summer-Fall Offensive-1951 +2nd Korean Winter 1951–52 +Korean Summer-Fall-1952
+3rd Korean Winter-1952-53.
General (5-Star) Douglas MacArthur–“The Puerto Ricans forming the ranks of the gallant 65th Infantry give daily proof on the battlefields of Korea of their courage, determination, and resolute will to victory… They are writing a brilliant record of heroism in battle and I am indeed proud to have them under my command. I wish that we might have many more like them!”
**US 65th INFANTRY REGIMENT-Major AWARDS**
• INDIVIDUAL COMBAT AWARDS: Medal of Honor (MOH): 2; Distinguished Service Cross (DSC): 10; Silver Star (SS): 258; Bronze Star (BS)/for Valor: 628; Purple Heart (PH): 2,861…
• COMBAT UNIT Battle Streamers: +**Presidential Unit Citation (two) +Meritorious Unit Commendation (two )
+**Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (two) +**Greece—Chryssoun Aristion Andrias—Bravery Gold Medal
+Navy Unit Commendation +National Defense Service Medal +World War I Victory Medal +American Defense Service Medal +American Campaign Medal +European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal +World War II Victory Medal
+Army of Occupation Medal
• US CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL-highest Honor US Congress/President can bestow.
• ROK (Republic of Korea)-Honor Medal; Ambassadors for Peace- Proclamation
• Florida Veterans’ Service Medal—awarded by FL Governor/US Sen. Rick Scott/PIC: Gov. Scott/FLNG AG/Dennis-Organizer).
+Celio Freytes-Menéndez (CIB WW-II/ Korea; Bronze Star w/Valor) (Father); Uncles Erasto & Anibal served with the 65th Infantry.
+ Other Soldiers/ Hispanics served with the Regiment. (Like- General Cabazos-Texas…)
+The Borinqueneers suffered Federal discrimination as PR-US Veterans still have: NO Vote for US President; NO just representation in US Congress; NO Parity in Federal Laws, Programs or Funding; NO permanent Statutory US Citizenship-NO consent of the governed!
+PATRIOTS: Petition (with facts) our Federal Government to– provide Equal US Citizenship/Civil Rights for American Veterans/
All “We the People”; END Federal undemocratic control (since 1898) of the US Territory of Puerto Rico…
POC: Dennis O. Freytes-Florida Veterans Hall of Fame (by Governor); US Army Retired; Professor Military Science-UPR
ENCLOSURES/BCGM US Capitol Ceremony: https://youtu.be/o8QeaBGbQ_U?t=736