As a triumph for all of Puerto Rico and the recognition of the value of the Puerto Rican military, this Sunday the Veteran’s Attorney, Agustín Montañez Allman, approved the approval by Congress on April 13 in the United States as the Day of the 65th Infantry Regiment, known as the “Borinqueneers”.
“I am personally moved by this great success, because having also served on a battlefield, I feel the weight of those who made the supreme sacrifice for the values of our democracy and today are rewarded for their dedication and patriotism, ”Montañez Allman, a veteran decorated as commander of a unit that saw action at the Persian Gulf War Theater, said in a written statement.
Montañez Allman stated that the measure, promoted by resident commissioner Jenniffer González, “ends the last vestige of discrimination faced by members of the 65th Infantry Regiment, which took more than 60 years in which they would be recognized as a fighting unit for their boldness and heroism. “
The solicitor thanked the Resident Commissioner for “her constant support of the causes of the island’s veteran community, as well as for doing justice to the courage displayed by the members of the 65th Infantry during the War of Korea “.
“Our commissioner has been a consistent and loyal ally of all our veterans. She emphasizes her dedication and commitment to ensuring that veterans fully enjoy all the rights and benefits that flow from their service to the Nation and Puerto. Rico, “Montañez Allman argued.
He also stressed that being resident commissioner today Governor Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia, pushed for legislation that President Barack Obama turned into law, to award the Congress Gold Medal to veterans of the 65th Infantry. In this effort, Pierluisi was accompanied by Congressman Bill Posey of Florida, and Senators Marc Rubio and Richard Blumenthal. After that, eight veterans of the Regiment received the Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor awarded to a person or group by Congress on behalf of a grateful nation.
He reminded the former prosecutor that about 700 of the Puerto Rican dead in the Korean conflict, honorably dressed the colors of Puerto Rico in the uniform of the 65th Infantry.
To Montañez Allman it touches to him of very personal way this recognition to him, since his uncle, Jesus Montañez belonged to the Regiment, seeing action in the liberation of Europe in World War II, where he was decorated with the Medals of Bronze and Purple Heart.
The resolution was initially introduced by Republican Senator Rick Scott, with the co-sponsorship of Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio and New Jersey Democrat Robert Menendez. It recognizes the date on which the federal government officially awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to members of that regiment, after on June 9, 2014, President Barack Obama enacted the measure.
The 65th Infantry Regiment was created in 1898 shortly after the Spanish American War.
More than 62,000 Puerto Ricans enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II, and more than 43,000 served during the Korean War. On June 25, 1950, North Korea launched an invasion that had been preceded by numerous border clashes with South Korea and the accumulation of North Korean troops at the border.
Altogether, and according to published data, by their paper in the conflict, the Borinqueneers received a Medal of Honor, granted to sergeant Juan Negrón; nine Crosses for Distinguished Service, 250 Silver Stars, 628 Bronze Stars and 2,771 Purple Heart Medals.