As a territory of the United States, Puerto Rico participates in the U.S. military rather than having its own military. Puerto Rican soldiers fought with General Bernardo de Gálvez, Governor of Louisiana, in some of the final battles of the Revolutionary War. Soldiers from Puerto Rico took part in the Civil War, when they were identified as Spanish immigrants since Puerto Rico was still a Spanish colony at the time. In 1899, Congress authorized the creation of the Battalion of Porto Rican Volunteers for service on the Island.
The first shot of World War I under the U.S. flag was fired by Army Lt. Teofilo Marxuach at El Morro Castle. More than 18,000 men and women served in World War I. The Selective Service law, which established the military draft, was passed on May 18, 1917. It excluded Puerto Rico, even though Puerto Ricans were at that time American Nationals and would otherwise have been eligible for the draft. On May 20, Puerto Rico’s territorial government demanded that Puerto Rico be included, for the sake of equality. 236,000 Puerto Ricans registered for the draft in that year.
The soldiers who went to Panama during that conflict became the 65th regiment, the Borinqueneers, who received the Congressional Medal in 2016. They served in World War II and distinguished themselves in combat in the Korean War.
This regiment became the core of the National Guard after segregated units were abolished in the 20th century. Wikipedia states that “the PRARNG [Puerto Rico Army National Guard] was recognized as one of the most versatile and best prepared state militias of the United States” in 1999.
What doesn’t Puerto Rico have its own army?
We have been asked this question and we are happy to answer it, though it shows a misconception about Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is a territory belonging to the United States. It is not an independent country. The U.S. Constitution says that states cannot have their own armies, though they are allowed to have militias, like the National Guard. This is Article I, Section 10, Clause 3 of the Constitution:
“No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.”
This doesn’t specify the rules for territories, but the Territorial Clause of the Constitution says, “The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States.”
Puerto Rico has a National Guard, including an Air National Guard, and a State Guard, which is also part of the National Guard, under the authority of Governor Pierluisi.
In many cases, Puerto Rico is treated as though it were a state. This is one of those cases.
However, as a territory, Puerto Rico is not always treated like a state. For example, the thousands of men and women in military service in Puerto Rico through its history have not been able to vote for their Commander in Chief — Puerto Rico voters are disenfranchised from the presidential elections. Puerto Rico voters also have no senators to represent them in Congress, and just one non-voting Member of the House. As a state, Puerto Rico will have seven representatives in Congress.
Do you live in a state? If so, you have more representation in American democracy than residents of Puerto Rico. Tell your legislators that you want to see them on the right side of history. Let them know that you support statehood and that you want them to do the same.
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US 65th Infantry Regiment-the Borinqueneers-SUMMARY
Beginning: The U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment (Borinqueneers), Patriots of True Grit-“Warriors of Good”, from the US Territory of PR (taken by US Federal force in 1898)—traces its linage from the first U.S. Infantry Battalion of Puerto Rican Volunteer Troops authorized by Congress in 1899. Also, other Hispanics, like General Cabazos, served with the Regiment.
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.
During War II- The 65th Infantry 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 stop Communism…; 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 and
• 3rd Korean Winter-1952-53.
General of the Armies Douglas MacArthur–: “…the Puerto Ricans…of the gallant 65th Infantry on the battlefields of Korea by valor, determination, and a resolute will to victory give daily testament to their invincible loyalty to the United States… They write a brilliant record of achievement in battle and I am proud indeed to have them in this 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 (MSG ; Distinguished Service Cross (DSC): 10; Silver Star (SS): 258; Bronze Star (BS)/for Valor: 628; Purple Heart (PH): 2,861…etc.
• COMBAT UNIT Battle Streamers: +**Presidential Unit Citation (two awards) +Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards) +**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 Florida Governor Rick Scott (now US Senator)—-
+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!
FIX: Contact/Petition our Federal Government to provide Equal US Citizenship-Civil Rights for All “We the People”;
END Federal undemocratic control (since 1898) of the US Territory of Puerto Rico.
+My Father Celio Freytes-Menendez (CIB WW-II & Korea; Bronze Star w/ Valor…); Uncles Erasto & Anibal loyally sacrificed, served & fought with the Borinqueneers; also, suffered Federal discrimination.
POC: Dennis O. Freytes-Professor Military Science/USA Officer School-Director/Commander/ROTC Brigade-UPR
ENCLOSURES- US 65th Infantry Regiment Song- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syGdmyHQkHY