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"The Borinqueneers" South Korea, February
2,1951
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65th Infantry Regiment, The Pride of Puerto Rico
The predominantly
Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment was honored in a 1992 Army
National Guard heritage painting for its record of valor during
the Korean War. The scene depicts the regimental bayonet charge
against a Chinese division near Seoul, South Korea, on Feb.
2, 1951. The 65th had been ordered to seize two hills and climaxed
a three-day assault by fixing bayonets and launching straight
into the Chinese 149th Division. The enemy soldiers fled.
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The
65th was organized in 1899, a year after the United States seized
Puerto Rico from Spain. At the time, the Army considered the regiment
to be "colonial troops" for the defense of the island. In 1908 the
regiment was attached to the Regular U.S. Army. Its nickname, "The
Borinqueneers," honors our native warriors.
In
August 1950 the Korean War was less than two months old, and Puerto
Rico's 65th Infantry Regiment was on its way to the combat zone. The
regiment landed at the port city of Pusan on the Korean Peninsula's
southern tip, where U.S. forces had been holding a perimeter against
the Communist North Korean invaders. Sent into action immediately,
the Puerto Ricans took part in the U.S. breakout and drive to the
north. Following the brilliantly planned and executed surprise landings
at Inchon, U.S. and other United Nations forces drove deep into the
mountains of North Korea. At that point a huge Chinese Army entered
the war. The U.S. Eighth Army was overrun, and the 1st Marine Division,
with attached U.S. and British Army Units, was completely encircled.
In one of the greatest fighting retreats in history, the outnumbered
Marines battled their way south to the coast. The first friendly troops
they saw on the frozen ridgetops were the Puerto Ricans of the 65th
Infantry Regiment, sent to hold the perimeter around the vital port
of Hungnam. The Puerto Ricans supervised the evacuation of Hungnam,
finally sailing themselves on Christmas Eve, 1950. The 65th landed
in Pusan as they had five months before, and again fought their way
northward. Late January 1951 found them south of the Korean capital
of Seoul, under orders to take two hills being held by the Chinese
149th Division. The assault began on on January 31st, and took three
days. On the morning of the third day the top of the hills were within
reach, and two battalions of the 65th fixed bayonets and charged straight
at the enemy positions. The Chinese fled. During its service in Korea,
the men of the 65th Infantry won four Distinguished Service Crosses
and 125 Silver Stars. The "The Borinqueneers" were also awarded the
Presidential and Meritorious Unit Commendations, two Korean Presidential
Unit Citations and the Greek Gold Medal for Bravery. The 65th Infantry
Regiment's gallant service in a difficult war is exemplified by its
regimental motto, "Honor and Fidelity," and the regiment itself exemplifies
the National Guard's leading role in our nation's military history.
Well done men!
Photo courtesy of Carmen Santos de Curran, her grandfather was Lt.
Rodriguez at the time, later became Captain and one
of his men was Carmen's father, Corporal Antonio Santos (Silver Star).
This photo was not dated, probably circa 1945.
Lt. Rodriguez was Ivonne Figueroa's (editor) Padrino. He was known
for his beautiful poetry.
65th Infantry Regiment Momument "Mission Accomplished" is the name
of this monument to the 65th Infantry (The Borinqueneers) of
Puerto Rico. The batallion was formed on May 20th, 1899.
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Korean Conflict Stamp
The soldiers in this US Postage Stamp are actually
Puerto Rican Reserve soldiers serving in the 65th Infantry
Regiment. The stamp is representative of the Korean Conflict.
If you would like to purchase
this hard-to-find stamp, El Pozao Productions has a limited
quantity available for $5.00 each (including shipping and
handling). You may send your check or money order to: El Pozo
Productions, P.O. Box 302, Crompond, NY 10517. The stamp and
other merchandise (such as the DVD of the documentary film,
cap, books, etc) can be purchased by visiting www.borinqueneers.com.
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65th
Infantry Regiment Hymn Midi courtesy of Juan Carlos Ramos
Himno del Regimiento 65 de Infantería
Música y Letra de Alexis Brau
| Arriba muchachos
vamos a zarpar.
A lejanas tierras vamos a pelear.
Por los caminos de la ley y el bien,
marcha el Regimiento de mi Borinquén.
Todo por la patria habremos de dar.
Por padres y hermanos que quedan acá.
Por la noviecita, el hijo y mi Dios.
A la isla querida decimos adios.
Adios terruño adorado de mis ahnelos.
No olvides de este hijo ausente en tus oraciones.
Que yo en mis noches tristes con mis canciones,
podré aliviar la angustia de mi dolor,
Gane o pierda siempre lucha con valor.
Nuestro Regimiento se cubrió de honor.
En mil combates, cien batallas cien.
Siempre cara al viento marcha el Regimiento
de mi Borinquén.
Adios terruño adorado de mis ahnelos.
No olvides de este hijo ausente en tus oraciones.
Que yo en mis noches tristes con mis canciones,
podré aliviar la angustia de mi dolor,
Gane o pierda siempre lucha con valor.
Nuestro Regimiento se cubrió de honor.
En mil combates, cien batallas cien.
Siempre cara al viento marcha el Regimiento
de mi Borinquén.
¡De mi Borinquén!. |
Literal translation
by Juan Carlos Ramos . . . .
Get up boys, we are shipping out. To far away
lands we must go and fight.
Through the paths of law and righteousness our Borinquén Regiment
marches on.
For our motherland we wil give it all.
For parents and sibilings that remain behind. For my sweetheart,
my son and my God.
To my beloved island we bid farewell.
Goodbye beloved land of my aspirations, don't forget this child
that now leaves you, in your prayers.
While I, during my nights of sorrow, will alleviate
my saddness and anguish with my songs.
Win or lose, We fought with bravery. Our Regiment
covered itself with honor. In over a thousand combats and hundreds
of battles, with our face to the wind, the Regiment of my Borinquén
marched on.
Goodbye beloved land.
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This song became a hit during the
Korean Conflict in 1952 and for the remainder of the conflict. Like
Vietnam it was never called a war. The song was made popular by El
Trío Vegabajeño, three Boricuas that sang, just as good as
Los Panchos, during their peak of popularity. Juan
Carlos Ramos . . .
Borinqueneers
Puerto Rican Medal of Honor
Puerto Rico's Military History
65th Infrantry WebSite
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