04.13.2016

Blumenthal Honors Borinqueneers at Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony

Renowned 65th Infantry Regiment, a Segregated Military Unit Composed Almost Entirely of Soldiers From Puerto Rico, Played a Prominent Role in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Blumenthal Led Legislation Signed into Law by the President to Award the Congressional Gold Medal to Members of the Regiment, known as ‘Borinqueneers,’ to Recognize Their Service In the Face of Injustice.

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today joined veterans of the renowned 65th Infantry Regiment, known as “Borinqueneer,” at a ceremony presenting the Hispanic infantry regiment with the Congressional Gold Medal, including Connecticut Borinqueneers Celestino Cordova and Jose Pickard. The regiment, a segregated military unit composed almost entirely of soldiers from Puerto Rico, played a prominent role in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. The regiment was the last segregated unit to be deactivated. Blumenthal led legislation signed into law by the president to award the Congressional Gold Medal to members of the regiment to recognize their service in the face of injustice.

“It was a true honor to join the Borinqueneers today as they were presented the Congressional Gold Medal for their selfless service to our country in the face of inexcusable injustice,” Blumenthal said. “Not only did the courageous soldiers of the 65th Infantry Regiment valiantly serve and sacrifice for this nation, they did so while enduring discrimination and ill-treatment both on and off the battlefield. In gratitude for their gifts to our country, I was honored to lead the Senate effort to award these brave soldiers the Congressional Gold Medal and I thank the Borinqueneers for their distinguished service.”

Although President Truman had issued an executive order in 1948 abolishing racial segregation in the armed forces, the 65th Infantry Regiment served as a segregated unit for most of the Korean War. The regiment participated in some of the fiercest battles of the war, including the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.

By the end of the Korean War in 1953, the 65th Infantry Regiment had earned 10 Distinguished Service Crosses, approximately 250 Silver Stars, over 600 Bronze Stars, and nearly 3,000 Purple Hearts. The regiment also won numerous awards – including two Presidential Unit Citations, the nation’s highest unit-level recognition, for extraordinary heroism.

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(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today joined veterans of the reknowned 65^th Infantry Regiment, known as “Borinqueneer,” at a ceremony presenting the Hispanic infantry regiment with the Congressional Gold Medal, including Connecticut Borinqueneers Celestino Cordova and Jose Pickard. The regiment, a segregated military unit composed almost entirely of soldiers from Puerto Rico, played a prominent role in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. The regiment was the last segregated unit to be deactivated. Blumenthal led legislation signed into law by the president to award the Congressional Gold Medal to members of the regiment to recognize their service in the face of injustice.

“It was a true honor to join the Borinqueneers today as they were presented the Congressional Gold Medal for their selfless service to our country in the face of inexcusable injustice,” Blumenthal said. “Not only did the courageous soldiers of the 65^th Infantry Regiment valiantly serve and sacrifice for this nation, they did so while enduring discrimination and ill-treatment both on and off the battlefield. In gratitude for their gifts to our country, I was honored to lead the Senate effort to award these brave soldiers the Congressional Gold Medal and I thank the Borinqueneers for their distinguished service.”

Although President Truman had issued an executive order in 1948 abolishing racial segregation in the armed forces, the 65^th Infantry Regiment served as a segregated unit for most of the Korean War. The regiment participated in some of the fiercest battles of the war, including the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.

By the end of the Korean War in 1953, the 65^th Infantry Regiment had earned 10 Distinguished Service Crosses, approximately 250 Silver Stars, over 600 Bronze Stars, and nearly 3,000 Purple Hearts. The regiment also won numerous awards – including two Presidential Unit Citations, the nation’s highest unit-level recognition, for extraordinary heroism.