[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14666]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MR. CELESTINO CORDOVA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELIZABETH H. ESTY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 21, 2017

  Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. 
Celestino Cordova for his service in the 65th Infantry Regiment, the 
``Borinqueneers.'' The 65th Infantry Regiment was the largest and 
longest-standing segregated Latino military unit in our country's 
history, and the Borinqueneers service in the face of discrimination 
led Congress to award these veterans the well-deserved Congressional 
Gold Medal in 2014.
  The Borinqueneers trace their history to 1898, when Congress 
authorized the creation of a military unit in Puerto Rico. For more 
than a century, members of the 65th Infantry Regiment served honorably 
in our Armed Forces, displaying valor and distinction in World War I, 
World War II, and the Korean war. In fact, the Borinqueneers are 
credited with firing the first American shots in the First World War 
after stopping a German supply ship from leaving San Juan Bay in 1915.
  Throughout both World Wars, the Borinqueneers defended the Panama 
Canal Zone, and some members of the regiment served in North Africa and 
Central Europe during World War II. The regiment became a key force 
during the Korean war after distinguishing itself during the Operation 
PORTREX military exercise. Over 2,700 Borinqueneers earned Purple 
Hearts during the Korean war, and some Borinqueneers led the last 
regimental bayonet assault in U.S. military history.
  Despite their honorable service by thousands, the Borinqueneers faced 
segregation and regular discrimination in the Armed Forces. Our country 
owes these veterans our thanks, and we must remember the story of the 
Borinqueneers as role models for national service.
  Mr. Speaker, Celestino Cordova served our country in the 65th 
Infantry Regiment during the Korean war despite the danger and 
discrimination that the Borinqueneers faced. It is therefore fitting 
and proper that we honor him here today.