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The Borinqueneers! 70 Years ago today

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The Borinqueneers, South Korea — February 2, 1951 — by Dominic D’Andrea

Via the National Guard Bureau:

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 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 “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.

Congress and the POTUS recognise the Borinqueneers

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The 65th Infantry Regiment has a long and unsung history. Founded originally in 1901 as the “Porto Rico Provisional Regiment of Infantry,” based at Camp Las Casas, the unit engaged a German support ship trying to violate the territory’s neutrality in 1915 then in WWI was sent as an emergency reinforcement for the Panama Canal zone. On 4 June 1920 the unit was renamed the 65th Infantry, and was commonly, then and now, referred to as the Borinqueneers. The name is a combination of the words “Borinquen” (which was what the Taínos called the island before the arrival of the Spaniards) and “Buccaneers”.

When WWII came the unit again was rushed to defend the Canal Zone but then, when the great push came in Europe, they were sent overseas, landing in France in Sept 1944 and remaining engaged in combat operations until VE-Day and beyond, with her soldiers earning 2 silver and 22 bronze stars.

Borinqueneers: the only all-Hispanic unit in U. S. Army history Soldiers of the 65th, North of the Han River, Korea, June 1951. (U. S. Army photo

Borinqueneers: the only all-Hispanic unit in U. S. Army history Soldiers of the 65th, North of the Han River, Korea, June 1951. (U. S. Army photo

Then in 1950, when the balloon went up, the still-segregated 65th was rushed to Korea, arriving at Pusan, ROK on 23 September 1950. As part of the 3rd INF Div, they helped hold the line at the Chosin in November, allowing the Marines to withdraw. They went on to fight at the Han River, the Uijonbu Corridor, the Iron Triangle, and others. In all the 65th was awarded battle citations for nine campaigns, and they are credited with the last battalion-sized bayonet assault in U.S. Army history.

During the Korean War, the Borinqueneers were awarded 10 Distinguished Service Crosses, 256 Silver Stars, 606 Bronze Stars, and 2,771 Purple Hearts. Of the 3900 men who shipped to Korea with the regiment, 743 troops from the 65th were killed and 2,318 were wounded.

In what is viewed by many to have been a slight due to politics of the time, Master Sergeant Juan E. Negron, the only member of the 65th so far to have received the MOH,  was awarded it this March.

Painting depiction of the U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment's bayonet charge against a Chinese division during the Korean War by Dominic D'andrea

Painting depiction of the U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment’s bayonet charge against a Chinese division during the Korean War by Dominic D’andrea

On Tuesday at the White House, President Obama signed bills passed by the House and Senate to honor the legacy of the 65th with the award of the Congressional Gold Medal.

Currently, only the 65th Infantry Regiment’s 1st Battalion is active, as part the 92nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the of the PRARNG.