[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 9632-9633]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  TRIBUTE TO THE 65TH INFANTRY REGIMENT FROM PUERTO RICO/BORINQUENEERS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 6, 2000

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention to 
the deeds of the 65th Infantry Regiment from Puerto Rico, which was 
recognized on Friday, May 26, 2000 because of its many years of service 
and leadership. The regiment, honored by the Puerto Rican Parade of 
Paterson 2000/Desfile Puertorriqueno, Inc. 2000, is celebrating a 
century of service to the nation and the 50th anniversary of its 
participation in the Korean Conflict.
  The 65th Infantry Regiment was organized on March 2, 1899; one year 
after United States Military Forces occupied Puerto Rico during the 
Spanish-American War. The group began as a volunteer force charged with 
defending the island. Even though it was an active Army Regiment, 
Puerto Ricans that enlisted or were appointed as officers in the 65th 
could expect to spend their entire military careers in Puerto Rico.
  In 1917, one year after Puerto Ricans were granted American 
citizenship, the 65th was reorganized as the Puerto Rican Regiment of 
Infantry. In 1920 it became the 65th Infantry Regiment.
  During World War I, the 65th Infantry protected the Panama Canal Zone 
against Germany and other opposing nations. After the war, they 
returned to garrison duty in Puerto Rico.
  During World War II, the 65th moved first to Panama in January of 
1943, then to France in September 1944. The 65th fought in several 
European battlefields, including, the decisive skirmish near the River 
Arno, the Ardennes and other key engagements along the French and 
Italian borders. The unit also carried out

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civil actions and security duties such as guarding high-ranking Nazi 
officials during the Nuremberg trials.
  The 65th became a highly decorated unit during the second World War, 
with members earning the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, 
90 Purple Hearts, 22 Bronze Stars and 1,367 Combat Infantry Badges, 
After the war, the group returned to garrison duty in Puerto Rico.
  On September 23, 1950, the 65th Infantry Regiment entered the Korean 
Conflict. This unit, the only segregated Hispanic unit in the Army's 
history was composed mostly of native Puerto Ricans. In Korea the group 
participated in nine major campaigns, saw intense action and 
distinguished itself with gallant combat performances. It became one of 
the most highly decorated army units in history. These honors include a 
United States Presidential Unit Citation, a Meritorious Unit 
Commendation, two Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations and the 
Greek Gold Medal for Bravery.
  The men of the 65th Infantry, the ``Borinqueneers'' as they came to 
be known, were awarded four distinguished Service Crosses, 155 Silver 
Stars, 562 Bronze Stars and 1,014 Purple Hearts among other awards. 
Borinqueneers is a word indigenous to Puerto Rico meaning, ``native 
islander.''
  The United States Army dissolved the 65th Infantry Regiment in 1956. 
On February 15, 1959 the 65th Infantry became a regiment in the Puerto 
Rico Army National Guard.
  Today the 65th Infantry continues its proud tradition of service as 
part of the 92nd Infantry Brigade.
  In 1992, the National Guard honored the unit with a Heritage 
painting. The scene depicts the regiment conducting a bayonet charge 
against a Chinese division in Korea on February 2, 1951. More than 
61,000 Puerto Ricans served in the Korean Conflict. More than 6,000 
served in the 65th. In addition, more than 732 Puerto Ricans lost their 
lives in Korea.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Puerto Rican Parade 
of Paterson 2000/Desfile Puertorriqueno, Inc. 2000, Puerto Rico, the 
United States and me in recognizing the outstanding and invaluable 
contributions of the 65th Infantry Regiment from Puerto Rico. 
Throughout its 100 years of service, the 65th has always lived up to 
its motto, ``Honor and Fidelity.''

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