The Borinqueneers

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Borinqueneers BORINQUENEERS CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ALLIANCE The Borinqueneers SPECIAL REPORT — CELEB RATING HISPANIC HERITAGE! Hispanic Heritage Spotlight on the Puerto Rico’s Borinqueneers awarded 65th Infantry Regiment “Borinqueneers” U.S. Congressional Gold Medal! 2015 Collectors’ Edition By Larry Bystran, Alliance National Steering Committee Member The illustrious 65th Infantry Read “Mambo on Regiment Borinqueneers are The 65th Infantry Hill 167” Regiment the Latino-American equiva- - a captivating “Borinqueneers” were lent of the famed Tuskegee story of heroism awarded the well-merited Airmen and Navajo Code Talkers. Finally, the & sacrifice United States Congres- sional Gold Medal in June Borinqueneers have been despite prejudice. 2014 after an extremely recognized in like fashion See page 2! intense all-out, 2-year with the United States Con- national effort by gressional Gold Medal, and Borinqueneers Above, Pres. Obama leads an have taken their RIGHTFUL Congressional Gold ovation for the Borinqueneers INSIDE THIS PLACE in American history! SPECIAL REPORT Medal Alliance and its after signing the historic legislation. supporters and partners, ingly distinguished themselves sacrificed in the cause of MSG Juan E. 2 and key lawmakers in the in battle, all the while freedom with great courage Negron U.S. Congress. enduring the additional and pride. Similar in nature to the Cannon fire from 3 hardships of segregation, The youngest of these famed Tuskegee Airmen and El Morro! discrimination, and adverse remaining Latino-American other segregated U.S. military circumstances. heroes are in their 80’s and Operation 3 units, the 65th Infantry Regi- Hailing from Puerto Rico, 90’s, having served in World PORTREX ment Borinqueneers were the US Army unit was active War II, the Korean War, and the largest, longest-standing, Heroes of 4 from 1899 to 1956. later, the war in Vietnam. & only active-duty segregated Hungnam! Emblematic of all US military Story continued on page 7! Latino military unit in U.S. veterans, including the hun- “Fijar 5 history. dreds of thousands of Latino- Below, the Congressional Gold Bayonetas!” The Regiment in fact was American veterans, the Medal design was finalized by General Richard the last segregated unit in 5 Borinqueneers served and the US Mint on August 10, 2015. Cavazos combat, and thus paved the way for the full Don Modesto 5 integration of the US Cartagena Armed Forces. Like the Tuskegee Airmen, Website Navajo Code Talkers, Nisei Facebook Page Soldiers, and Montford Point Marines who were earlier YouTube Video recognized with the Congres- In The News sional Gold Medal, the Borinqueneers overwhelm- BORINQUENEERS CONGRESSIONAL Mambo on Hill 167 GOLD MEDAL ALLIANCE By Baltazar Soto, LTC, (Ret.) “Many officers at the time US Army; Alliance Member thought it was the kiss of “No platoon member This Korean War battle was officially named “Operation Red death to be assigned to the living or dead was left Rooster” by some officer in the Puerto Rican Regiment. behind.” regiment, but to 1LT Walt B. Critics called it the Clark and the men of his pla- “seeeexty feeeeth” toon, it will always be called “Arriba muchachos!” “Mambo on Hill 167.” mockingly imitating the LT Clark was platoon leader of Spanish accent of most of the 2nd Platoon, C Co., 1st BN, the regiment’s Puerto “One general called it 65th INF “Borinqueneers,” 3ID. Rican soldiers.” a regiment of He had recently graduated from the Citadel, the Military College “colored” troops, un- 1LT Walt B. Clark of South Carolina and the Infan- by some in high command at the reliable and inferior to try Officer Basic Course. The Pentagon and by some senior always had a kitchen grinding continental “white” young 21-year-old looked at his leaders as that “rum and coke” stone and had his men sharpen assignment as a challenge in lead- outfit. One general called it a their 10 inch blades, insisting they soldiers.” ership, since he was selected to regiment of “colored” troops, have their bayonet on them at all lead these mostly Spanish- unreliable and inferior to conti- times— the men even slept with speaking soldiers from the tropi- nental “white” soldiers. But their M-1 rifles with bayonets - From “Mambo on cal Puerto Rican and Virgin Is- through two years of intense fixed. After months of outpost duty, Hill 167” lands. Many officers at the time front line combat in the Korean thought it was the kiss of death War, the 65th Infantry Regiment Clark and his platoon got the to be assigned to the Puerto proved all the critics wrong. chance to attack. The mission Rican Regiment. Critics called it Ever since Lt. Clark had first was conceived on short notice. the “seeeexty feeeeth” mockingly taken command of the 2nd Pla- The orders were to “raid Chi- imitating the Spanish accent of toon in Mar 1952, he wanted to nese outpost positions on Hill most of the regiment’s Puerto instill in his men aggressiveness, 167 in stealth and darkness; … Rican soldiers. It was considered “the spirit of the bayonet.” He Story continued on page 4! Above, the daughter of Borinque- neer Juan Negron receives the Medal of Honor for her late father on March 18, 2014. He received the posthumous honor along with several other Puerto Ri- can, Latino, & other heroes after it was determined that their extreme heroism was under-recognized in the past due to prejudice. We honor & thank them all! Pictured above is MSG Juan E. Negron, first 65th Inf. (The Medal of Honor is not to be Reg. Borinqueneer ever to receive the Medal of Hon- PAGE 2 confused with the Congressional or, the Nation's highest award for individual heroism! Gold Medal.) P A G E 3 Cannon fire from El Morro: 1st Salvo of World War I The first shots of Puerto Rican soldiers the USS Newport News, WWI in defense of confiscated the ship in US service until 1924. freedom! which was later renamed From “El Morro” fort, Old San Juan, early Borinqueneers fired on the armed German sup- ply ship Oldenwald as it tried to force its way out of San Juan Bay to resup- Above, Lt. Col. ply German submarines Teófilo Marxuach in the Atlantic Ocean at ordered the first the onset of WWI. The shots fired in World War I by the US. Shown above from 1899: Caption reads “First Company of native Porto Ricans enlisted in the American Colonial Army, Porto Rico.” WWI, WWII, & Operation PORTREX During WWI, the 65th tary exercise was held on Shown at right, a Infantry Regiment the island of Vieques, 65th Inf. Reg. Borinqueneers guarded the where the Borinqueneers recon patrol on strategically important Pan- prevented more than March 6, 1950, ama Canal Zone. In WWII, 32,600 combat troops from during the Oper- the segregated unit guarded the Army & Marines, aided ation PORTREX the canal again, and also by Naval & Air forces, from military exercise. saw action in Northern establishing a beachhead on Africa and central Europe. the island. This victory In March 1950 on the eve helped establish the of the Korean War, the Borinqueneers’ reputation Operation PORTREX mili- as a potent fighting force. THE BORINQUENEERS SPECIAL REPORT — CELEB RATING HISPANIC HERITAGE! P A G E 4 Mambo on Hill 167, continued from page 2. flag. Clark and the 2nd Platoon Caption de- quickly found out Photo at left: 2nd scribing pic- what it meant. ture or “Fire within the Platoon, C Co., 65th graphic. battle position!” INF (LT Clark front The Chinese, with row, seventh from complete disre- left). “Arriba gard for their own soldiers, muchachos!” fired mortar and capture prisoners; leave a squad of slopes of Hill 250 along the Out- artillery shells into their battle posi- volunteers on 167 to observe Chi- post Line of Resistance, C Co. tion as 2nd Platoon advanced. Clark nese Main Line of Resistance (MLR) moved out and crossed the Line of knew he had to do something. He area—squad to remain for 48 Departure (LD) at 2400 (thus, ene- immediately charged into the ene- hours.” Clark’s unit was the assault my contact would occur on 19 Jul), my position leading his platoon of platoon for the company, so it was and quickly became lost in the dark. infantry with fixed bayonets shout- his mission to go into the objective, Noise discipline was poor, un- ing “Arriba muchachos!” Clark’s seize the hill, and take the prison- doubtedly providing the enemy platoon sergeant, MSG Santos Can- ers. POWs were needed for gath- early warning. It was not until the delario helped to rally the rest of ering intelligence on the enemy, and sun began to rise that C Co. found the platoon to follow their lieuten- Third Division had taken no prison- the objective, negating the “stealth” ant. ers of war (POWs) in a number of part of the mission. Clark’s 2nd Clark fearlessly led his men into a weeks. C Co. Commander Capt. Platoon began the assault from the hill position of three concentric Henry E. Hutcheson told Clark that north. Someone once said, “No trench lines. Though wounded by the S-2 (Intelligence) estimated plan survives contact with the ene- an enemy grenade, he continued his “half an enemy squad” occupied the my”. C Co. had a plan, but so did charge, hurling grenades and shoot- objective and assured him that his the Chinese. ing several enemy soldiers. Then he platoon would have no problem. The Chinese allowed 2nd Platoon entered a trench and turned a cor- The rest of the company would scouts to move within a few feet of ner, and came face to face with a H I S P A N I C provide suppression, security, and the objective before releasing a Chinese soldier.
Recommended publications
  • Los Veteranos—Latinos in WWII
    Los Veteranos—Latinos in WWII Over 500,000 Latinos (including 350,000 Mexican Americans and 53,000 Puerto Ricans) served in WWII. Exact numbers are difficult because, with the exception of the 65th Infantry Regiment from Puerto Rico, Latinos were not segregated into separate units, as African Americans were. When war was declared on December 8, 1941, thousands of Latinos were among those that rushed to enlist. Latinos served with distinction throughout Europe, in the Pacific Theater, North Africa, the Aleutians and the Mediterranean. Among other honors earned, thirteen Medals of Honor were awarded to Latinos for service during WWII. In the Pacific Theater, the 158th Regimental Combat Team, of which a large percentage was Latino and Native American, fought in New Guinea and the Philippines. They so impressed General MacArthur that he called them “the greatest fighting combat team ever deployed in battle.” Latino soldiers were of particular aid in the defense of the Philippines. Their fluency in Spanish was invaluable when serving with Spanish speaking Filipinos. These same soldiers were part of the infamous “Bataan Death March.” On Saipan, Marine PFC Guy Gabaldon, a Mexican-American from East Los Angeles who had learned Japanese in his ethnically diverse neighborhood, captured 1,500 Japanese soldiers, earning him the nickname, the “Pied Piper of Saipan.” In the European Theater, Latino soldiers from the 36th Infantry Division from Texas were among the first soldiers to land on Italian soil and suffered heavy casualties crossing the Rapido River at Cassino. The 88th Infantry Division (with draftees from Southwestern states) was ranked in the top 10 for combat effectiveness.
    [Show full text]
  • SM 1266, 1St Eng
    SM 1266 First Engrossed (ntc) 20131266e1 1 Senate Memorial 2 A memorial to the President and the Congress of the 3 United States, urging them to award the Congressional 4 Gold Medal to the United States 65th Infantry 5 Regiment, the Borinqueneers. 6 7 WHEREAS, the Borinqueneers trace their lineage to the 8 “Puerto Rico Regiment of Volunteer Infantry,” authorized by 9 Congress on March 2, 1899, as the first body of native troops in 10 Puerto Rico, the only Hispanic-segregated unit in the United 11 States Armed Forces that played a prominent role in American 12 military history, and 13 WHEREAS, during World War I, the Borinqueneers rallied a 14 force of over 1,500 to defend the Panama Canal, and upon their 15 return to Puerto Rico were renamed “The 65th Infantry Regiment,” 16 and 17 WHEREAS, during World War II, the Borinqueneers served in 18 North Africa and Europe, winning Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arne, 19 Central Europe, and Rhineland battle campaign awards; and were 20 assigned security, anti-sabotage, and other occupation missions 21 around Kaiserslautern and Mannheim, Germany after the war, and 22 WHEREAS, during the Korean War, the Borinqueneers were the 23 only all-Hispanic unit; joined the United States 3rd Infantry 24 Division to be among the first infantry to engage in battle with 25 North Korean troops; served with distinction to earn 4 26 Distinguished Service Crosses, 124 Silver Stars, 9 Korean battle 27 campaign awards, the Presidential and Meritorious Unit 28 Commendations, 2 Korean Presidential Unit Citations, and the 29 Greek Gold Medal for Bravery; and are credited with launching Page 1 of 3 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
    [Show full text]
  • Feliz Navidad 1950
    Saviors of the Cause The Role of the Puerto Rican Soldier in One Man’s Crusade Copyright © 2005 by Luis Asencio Camacho For my brother Josué, the family historian Governor Luis Muñoz Marín welcomes the Borinqueneer colors from Korea. November 1954 (Archivo General) The gallant contribution that the soldiers of the 65th and 296th Infantry regiments have made alongside their fellow citizens of the United States, defending our common ideals against those who try to subvert the freedom of the human race, make the transfer of their regimental colors an occasion of profound meaning to all of us. GOVERNOR LUIS MUÑOZ MARÍN During ceremony transferring the colors of the 65th and the 296th Infantry regiments to the PRNGUS, Fort Brooke, Puerto Rico November 19, 1954 Saviors of the Cause The following article is written from an objective point of view. The expressions are solely the author’s responsibility, and in no way represent the ideologies of Danny Nieves or valerosos.com. Introduction No other person in the history of Puerto Rico has embodied the paradox of this nation like “El Vate” (The Poet) Don Luis Muñoz Marín. His policies and programs transformed not only the face of a country but as well the idiosyncrasy of its people. He has been called “one of the most influential politicians in recent times, whose works will be remembered for years to come” (Time Magazine), and “the guiding force behind this time of sweeping change” (The Puerto Rico Herald); and has been recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor in peacetime, for his role in the future of Latin America.
    [Show full text]
  • A BILL to Award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 65Th Infantry Regiment, Known As the Borinqueneers
    AYO13453 S.L.C. 113TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. ll To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th Infantry Regiment, known as the Borinqueneers. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES llllllllll Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself, Mr. CHAMBLISS, Ms. WARREN, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. NELSON, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. SCHUMER, and Mr. CASEY) intro- duced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Com- mittee on llllllllll A BILL To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th Infantry Regiment, known as the Borinqueneers. 1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 3 SECTION 1. FINDINGS. 4 The Congress finds the following: 5 (1) In 1898, the United States acquired Puerto 6 Rico in the Treaty of Paris that ended the Spanish- 7 American War and, by the following year, Congress 8 had authorized raising a unit of volunteer soldiers in 9 the newly acquired territory. AYO13453 S.L.C. 2 1 (2) In May 1917, two months after legislation 2 granting United States citizenship to individuals 3 born in Puerto Rico was signed into law, and one 4 month after the United States entered World War I, 5 the unit was transferred to the Panama Canal Zone 6 because United States Army policy at the time re- 7 stricted most segregated units to noncombat roles, 8 although the regiment could have contributed to the 9 fighting effort. 10 (3) In June 1920, the unit was re-designated as 11 the ‘‘65th Infantry Regiment, United States Army’’, 12 and it would serve as the United States military’s 13 last segregated unit composed of Hispanic soldiers.
    [Show full text]
  • Modesto Cartagena Hero of the Korean War Dies By: Tony (The Marine) Santiago March 2010
    Modesto Cartagena Hero of the Korean War dies By: Tony (The Marine) Santiago March 2010 On March 2, 2010, Modesto Cartagena, the most decorated Hispanic soldier of the Korean War died. Cartagena, was a humble man born to a poor family who lived the in a small town located in the mountains of Puerto Rico. This humble man was among the first in the island to volunteer for military service when the United States entered World War II. He served in the 65th Infantry Regiment, an all- Puerto Rican regiment also known as "The Borinqueneers", during that war and later in the Sergeant First Class Modesto Cartagena Korean War. It was in the Korean War that Cartagena would rightfully earn the nickname “One decorations are the Silver Star Medal, Legion of Man Army”. Under attack, he destroyed four enemy Merit, Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart Medal. emplacements before he was wounded, thus He was also awarded the Military Medal of Honor saving the lives of the men in his unit. Cartagena of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico. was not awarded the Medal of Honor, which he According to Cartagena, his only regret was that he truly deserved, he was however, awarded the was too old to serve in Afghanistan. Distinguished Service Cross, second to the Medal of Honor, and among his many other military Here is his story. Early years Cartagena, born July 21, 1921, was raised in the mountains of Cayey, Puerto Rico to a poor family during the Great Depression. Cartagena enlisted in the U. S.
    [Show full text]
  • September/October 2002
    VAnguard prevision September/October 2002 Hispanic Heritage 9-11 Remembered Korean War Vets Honored Disabled Veteran Entrepreneurs Month, 2002 5 VAnguard Table of Contents Features Hispanic Heritage Month......................................................6 6 honoring hispanic employees and veterans 9-11 One-Year Anniversary..................................................18 reflection and remembrance Departments Management Matters......................................................................................3 Outlook................................................................................................................4 19 Introducing........................................................................................................17 e-Learning.........................................................................................................17 Around Headquarters...................................................................................26 Medical Advances...........................................................................................29 Have You Heard..............................................................................................30 Honors and Awards.......................................................................................31 Heroes...............................................................................................................32 26 VAnguard On the cover VA’s Employee Magazine September/October 2002 This statue of David Farragut is located in Vol. XLVIII,
    [Show full text]
  • Borinqueneers
    Borinqueneers Standards: 1. History. The student understands the impact of significant national and international decisions and conflicts during World War II and Korea on the United States. 2. Geography. The student understands the impact of geographic factors on major events. 3. Social studies skills. The student applies critical-thinking skills to organize and use information acquired from a variety of valid sources, including electronic technology. Objectives: 1. The students will be able to develop an appreciation of the sacrifices service members endure for love of country and the character it takes to be a good citizen and successful soldier. 2. The students will be able to gain greater appreciation and understanding of the contributions/roles Hispanic Americans have made in defense of the USA. 3. The students will be able to articulate the contributions of the Borinqueneers during World War II and Korea. Subject Matter: fidelity, heritage, segregated, adaptability, resiliency, courage Materials: Handout: Borinqueneer Timeline Activity Handout: “Preparing for the Unexpected” Media: The Borinqueneers (http://www.v-nep.org/national-hispanic-heritage- month.html) Handout: “US Army Borinqueneers Take Over Security at Camp Lemonnier” Procedure: Set: Place General MacArthur’s quote on the board: “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 could count on many more like them.” and discuss. Essential Question: Who were the Borinqueneers and what contribution did they make to the American military presence in World War II and the Korean conflict? Media: 1.
    [Show full text]
  • CCF Spring Offensive, 22 April
    Grave and Ever Present Danger The CCF Spring Offensives, Part I – April 1951 Copyright © 2005 by Luis Asencio Camacho For Bob Wells, 3rd Military Police Company, 3rd Division, Ben Farnan, 3rd Reconnaissance Company, 3rd Division, Honorary Borinqueneers, and for Danny Nieves Webmaster of the Borinqueneers Website A Borinqueneer BAR man engages enemy positions during the CCF Spring Offensive. April 1951 (National Archives) As I reconstructed the Chinese attack later, it seemed to me that the main thrust had been at the 65th and our boundary with the British. I believe that the enemy attack bounced off us, spilled over on both sides of us and then concentrated on the British and the Turks. BRIGADIER GENERAL (RET.) W. W. HARRIS analyzing, in retrospect, the CCF Spring Offensive Puerto Rico’s Fighting 65th U.S. Infantry (1980) Grave and Ever Present Danger Introduction Korea, April 1951. It was the worst of places at the worst of times. President Truman had relieved General MacArthur from command of the United Nations Command (UNC) in favor of Lt. Gen. Matthew B. “Matt” Ridgway a mere four months after Ridgway had assumed command of the Eighth Army (EUSAK). Although in sympathy with MacArthur’s views of unlimited war, Ridgway concurred with and abided by the President’s politics against another attempt to conquer North Korea or expand the war beyond the Yalu River. Whatever the outcome might be, it had to be within the peninsula. The first of two Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) major offensives, in a final attempt to destroy the UNC forces and score a decisive victory in and for Korea, would fall under the moonlit night of the twenty-second, with half a million communist troops swarming down on the UNC lines.
    [Show full text]
  • Henry Barracks Military Reservation1: the Evolution of a Military Facility to Public Lands
    1 Henry Barracks Military Reservation1: The evolution of a military facility to public lands James J. Prewitt Diaz, MA, MS2 & Joseph O. Prewitt Diaz, PhD3 1 A former Military Installation located in Cayey, Puerto Rico. 2 Mr Prewitt Diaz has been studying how geographical areas have been used and re-used as population changes, natural and humanitarian disasters have occurred, and as modernization has taken place. He has a special interest in the evolution of Cayey, as a results he has collected maps, photographs and images over the last fifty years. 3 Dr. Prewitt Diaz is a researcher with experiential knowledge on the Henry Barracks Military Reservation having spent over thirty years doing different activities on the Reservation and the town of Cayey. © 2015 James J. Prewitt Diaz, MA, MS & Joseph O. Prewitt Diaz, PhD 2 Henry Barracks Military Reservation4: The evolution of a Military facility to Public Lands Abstract This paper provides a historical overview of the geographic evolution of the Henry Barracks Military Reservation located in the proximity of the town of Cayey, Puerto Rico (1898 to 1967). The public lands became the University of Puerto Rico-Cayey (UPR-Cayey), the municipality of Cayey, private housing, and the municipality. The paper is divided into four major segments: (1) the Spanish Barracks (1897-1898), (2) Camp Henry (1899-1912), (3) The Cayey Naval Radio Station (1914-1932), (4) Henry Barracks Army Post 1910-1962). The researchers relied on interviews, pictures, and narratives of key informants that either lived, grew-up or used the facilities of Henry Barracks Army Post.
    [Show full text]
  • Puerto Rican Soldiers and Second-Class Citizenship This Page Intentionally Left Blank Puerto Rican Soldiers and Second-Class Citizenship Representations in Media
    Puerto Rican Soldiers and Second-Class Citizenship This page intentionally left blank Puerto Rican Soldiers and Second-Class Citizenship Representations in Media Manuel G. Avilés-Santiago PUERTO RICAN SOLDIERS AND SECOND-CLASS CITIZENSHIP Copyright © Manuel G. Avilés-Santiago, 2014 Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 2014 978-1-137-45718-9 All rights reserved. First published in 2014 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN® in the United States— a division of St. Martin’s Press LLC, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010. Where this book is distributed in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world, this is by Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited, regis- tered in England, company number 785998, of Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS. Palgrave Macmillan is the global academic imprint of the above companies and has companies and representatives throughout the world. Palgrave® and Macmillan® are registered trademarks in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and other countries. ISBN 978-1-349-49859-8 ISBN 978-1-137-45287-0 (eBook) DOI 10.1057/9781137452870 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data. Avilés Santiago, Manuel Gerardo. Puerto Rican soldiers and second-class citizenship : representations in media / Manuel G. Avilés-Santiago. pages cm Based on the author’s dissertation (doctoral)—University of Texas, Austin. Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. Puerto Ricans in mass media. 2. Soldiers in mass media. 3. Mass media and minorities—United States. 4. Puerto Ricans—United States—Social conditions—20th century. 5. Puerto Ricans—United States—Ethnic relations. I. Title. P94.5.P842A95 2014 305.868’7295—dc23 2014022635 A catalogue record of the book is available from the British Library.
    [Show full text]
  • Tributes for the 65Th Más Tributos Para El 65
    uv l Issue 31 – May 2013 NEWSLETTER MORE MÁS TRIBUTES TRIBUTOS FOR THE PARA EL 65TH 65 From left to right: Raul Reyes Castañeira, MSG Andrés Vergara, Luis Ramos, SFC Carlos Ruíz, SFC Modesto Cartagena On November 30, 2012, a section of Southern Boulevard and El 30 de noviembre de 2012, una sección de Southern Boulevard y Westchester Avenue in the Bronx, New York was named in honor of the Avenida Westchester en el Bronx, Nueva York fue nombrada en honor al 65th Infantry Regiment. At the ceremony, Bronx Borough President 65 Regimiento de Infantería. En la ceremonia, el Presidente del Condado Ruben Diaz Jr. said “Their gallantry in battle and standard of conduct in Bronx Rubén Díaz, hijo dijo “Su valentía en batalla y estándar de conducta overcoming adversity, has earned the ‘Borinqueneers’ our lifelong respect en el vencimiento de la adversidad, ha ganado nuestro respeto eterno por and I am proud to stand with the community to celebrate this historic los ‘Borinqueneers’ y estoy orgulloso de acompañar a la comunidad para event.” celebrar este acontecimiento histórico.” On Memorial Day, May 27, 2013, the Hispanic-American Veterans El 27 de mayo de 2013, el Monumento Conmemorativo de Veteranos Memorial Monument will be unveiled at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval Hispanoamericanos será inaugurado en el Parque Naval y Militar del and Military Park in Buffalo, NY. The monument will have a special Condado de Erie en Búfalo, NY. El monumento tendrá una placa plaque to memorialize the 65th Infantry Regiment. This is the first conmemorando al Regimiento 65 de Infantería.
    [Show full text]
  • Authors Chronicle Exploits of Mexican-American Soldiers
    istory often takes its time to uncover our nation’s unsung and extraordinary mili- tary groups. It is only sometimes Hthrough the efforts of dedicated pioneers that these stories are From Barrios excavated from the trenches of battlefield folklore. The story of the all-black Tuskegee Airmen Authors Chronicle Exploits has been featured in books and to Battlefields film. The all-Japanese U.S. Army of Mexican-American Soldiers 442nd Regiment has also seen its story showcased in books and film. However, while Latinos were awarded more Medals of Honor By Frank Medina per capita during World War II than any other minority group, their stories have remained in the shadows. Three trailblazing individuals seek to reverse this course and in- n 38 ARMY February 2018 This article originally appeared in ARMY magazine, Vol. 68, No. 2, February 2018. Copyright 2018 by the Association of the United States Army, all rights reserved PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVE GUTIÉRREZ Company E of the 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division. troduce our society, and even the write his relative Ramon Gutiér- ican-American unit until it de- world, to a little-known Army Na- rez’s biography, said, “When I ployed to North Africa in April tional Guard World War II com- learned that Ramon had served in 1943. Gabriel Salazar, an original pany from El Paso, Texas—the an all-Mexican-American World member of the company, would men of Company E of the 141st War II unit, the focus of the story later say, “When you heard roll Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry changed from telling one man’s call, you would think we were a Division.
    [Show full text]