Borinqueneers Finally Get Place In History, Unit Receives Congressional Gold Medal

WKAQ TELENOTICIAS / UNIVISION NETWORKS 06/10/2014
After a decades-long effort to get recognition, on Tuesday President Obama signed a bill into law that grants a Hispanic Army unit, the 65th Infantry regiment known as the Borinqueneers, the Congressional Gold Medal.
The regiment was made up of mostly Puerto Rican servicemen who participated in both World Wars and the Korean War - segregated from their fellow soldiers.
Inside the White House, President Obama said the legislation "honors military heroes from our history." Outside, loud pounding of the drums could be heard by bystanders, and the traditional Puerto Rican music Bomba y Plena played in honor of the legendary military men inside.
A few of the Borinqueneers were in attendance for the bill signing and received a standing ovation.
The Borinqueneers, a unit comprised of soldiers mostly from Puerto Rico, are the last segregated group to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award in the United States. The black Tuskegee Airmen and the Navajo Code Talkers received the award years ago.
"It was a very special moment, this honor took long to come our way, but it´s never too late when the good things come," U.S. House of Representative, Pedro Pierluisi, told Fox News Latino outside the White House.
"It's a great moment for Puerto Rico and we remind everyone today in the U.S. that we are U.S. citizens and that we contribute to the wellbeing of all our fellow citizens, and this includes defending our freedom and rights whenever we have had to do it, like it was case in the Korean War and others," he added.
Retired Army Private Juan Negrón, a Borinqueneer who lives in Buffalo, New York said he never thought that this moment would come. But he said he was satisfied the U.S. government finally recognized their bravery because he thinks the 65th Infantry regiment deserved the recognition after so many struggles.
Saying he never felt discriminated against during his time as an active military duty, despite belonging to a segregated regiment, Negrón, who fought in the Korean War, said he feels that the situation for veterans now is worse than when he first left Puerto Rico.
"There are more of us, and I would like to see things improve for veterans," he said. "And in the future [I want] to see improvements in medical services offered to veterans and more employment for those fellow veterans that are unemployed."
Madelina Vega Acevedo, the daughter of deceased Borinqueneer Sgt. Paul Vega Acevedo, said she was pleased that her father was recognized for his efforts -- if posthumously.
"I´m very happy because he was a righteous man, and even after his death this is a great recognition one that exalts his effort to fight and defend democracy, and I'm here to represent him," she said.
In Puerto Rico, Pierluisi said commemorations to honor the Borinqueneers will continue. A bust will be erected with their names on it and it will also include a replica of the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor once it is available.
Pierluisi said leaders in Puerto Rico will attempt to finally create a list identifying all of the Borinqueneers that are alive in the hopes of better understanding their needs and current situation.
"The Borinqueneers exemplify the American traditions of patriotism, sacrifice and service," said New York Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, who was born in Puerto Rico. "I am proud to see our nation bestow this long overdue honor on these heroes."
latino.foxnews.com/latino/news...

[@heru-deshet359]

I did some research on this 65th infantry. They were a regiment of indomitable combatants that had no fear and were fiercely loyal to our country. As a white man I am ashamed of the prejudice that was practiced against these men by our government simply because they had an accent and although most are white, weren't White Anglo Saxon Protestants.

[@heru-deshet359]

***** I'm sure you're very proud of him and connect with him through those memories he left behind.

[@kennethflores93]

Heru- deshet the crazy part is that most are Protestant now; Grandpa was a pastor for the Jesus only movement

[@healthyandrew5294]

@@kennethflores93 amazing. Where?

[@kennethflores93]

@@healthyandrew5294 the 65th turns out of San Juan Puerto Rico, near the Fortaleza, the fortress known as El Morro. Detachments of the 1st armored core turn out of the town of Guanica and training for Seals and Rangers happens in Vieques and the jungle of El Yunque.

[@kennethflores93]

As for Grandpa he was a Pastor for the a Jesus only movement while temporarily stationed at Ramey Air Base in the town of Aguadilla. An interesting tidbit, Aguadilla was recognized by Queen Isabella of Castile as Pueblo Real, Royal Town. It was given this designation when on numerous military campaigns they answered her call to arms and was gifted a royal coat of arms. The representation of that symbol now lies in the plaza near the old fountain which bears a cross.

[@loriana8322]

My Grandpa was A Borinqueneer . I would of loved for him to be alive to see this moment. R.I.P. Abuelo Domingo.

[@NovaC21H30O2]

Loriana ruiz Los Domigos son bravos es un honor

[@themusicalmachine9413]

my Grandpa was too..they were probably friends who fought side by side...

[@healthyandrew5294]

RIP. DOMINGO QUE? Mi abuelo es Domingo también

[@cristobalmelendez5001]

My husband, Cristobal Melendez-Claudio, a true Borinqueneer: Korea 1950_51...

[@EdwinRodriguez-mm5ym]

Show the heart Puerto Rican people we fearless

[@felixramos3078]

As a Puertorican U.S. Army Veteran, I feel incredibly honored and humbled by the sacrifices my brothers Boricuas made to defend the world's freedom, the United States of America,🇺🇸 and our Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico!🇵🇷 Thank you, President Obama, for a well, overdue recognition. 👏👏👏

[@juniorjimenez6381]

Borinqueneers... Always Heroes.

[@johnnyflores8116]

Thank you Mr President Obama the next step to make a movie 65

[@foreign180]

Eternamente agradecido de su servicio y valentía

[@40INTENSITY]

I love my people! The BORINQUENEERS are n inspiration for me! These guys are true PATRIOTS! I don't understand how Americans act as if we never contributed to this country! Maybe because our services were unappreciated! I've read up on the Borinqueneers and on the battlefield there's non braver! They literally instilled fear in the Chinese! I'm just glad that THEY have been finally recognized!

[@Chimoltrufia40]

Los gringos son unos MALAGRADECIDOS y discriminantes! Después q dieron sus vidas en esas guerras!!! Tratan a PR como mi3rda.

[@jmpf74]

I am crying... my father would have loved to watch this ,too bad he is one of the veterans who are not here with us anymore {:

[@loriana8322]

I know the feeling I wish my Grandpa would of been alive to see this.

[@nathirghael]

Yo soy Puerto Riqueño y no me van a quitar eso. La 65 infanteria los Borinquanners me dan un garn orgullo y coraje para ser lo q soy hoy siempre llevare ese legado conmigo nunca olvidare lo q hicieron por mi pais Puerto Rico

[@kennethflores93]

Haisen oye una pregunta haz conocido Alejandro Alvarez o tal vez José Flores Balaguer en el ambitro de combate

[@pokerEEUU]

THANK'S GUYS, BORRINQUENEERS🤩👍🇵🇷🇺🇸 GRACIAS A TODOS LOS BORRINQUENEERS, YOU'R MY HEROES🇵🇷💪🤨

[@loualbino6823]

Congratulations to these true American patriots.

[@kennethpaulbagunu]

FUCK YOU!!! YOUR FORGOT PILIPINOS!!!!! 🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@irvincarrero8001]

Dios, vendice a los Borinqueneers. God, bless the Borinqueneers.

[@zoy13]

Congratulations to my , Grandfather who serve on WW2, Korean War and Vietnam war. Master Seargent, Pedro De Jesus 1925-2016 R.I.P as a outstanding soldier.

[@marirodriguez1063]

Dios bendiga nuestros soldados ,hoy y siempre

[@mariecruz5631]

MI PAPÁ STAFF SARGEANT DONATO RIVERA MARTÍNEZ, 21 YEARS USA ARMY. WWII & KOREAN WAR. HE WAS WITH THE 65TH INFANTRY & HE WAS A BORINQUENEER. I HAVE THE HONOR TO HAVE HIS CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL. BORN: 12/20/19 DIED: 6/13/1971. DIED AT AGE 51. PROUD DAUGHTER! 😇🙏💔😪🇵🇷🐸🌴🇵🇷

[@GeanMaPR]

My grandfather was Also part of the Borinqueneers passed in 2003 I would of been SUPER proud of him of seeing him shake our president’s hand.

[@youcantguardme3715]

USA, Puerto Rico private first class!!!

[@HectorRodriguez-qr4dm]

Ya era hora. About time they get there recognition.

[@hectormatos6554]

Los mejores y mas valientes de la historia y todavia dicen que somos tercermundistas y que no merecemos la ciudadania america y nuestros padres dieron su vida por esta nacion y corea del sur , somos puertortiqueños y americanos por haber luchado junto a ellos .

[@Chimoltrufia40]

Así es. Y nos siguen tratando como inferiores.

[@nickburgos6685]

RIP 9/15/17 (Papa) Pablo R. Burgos Santiago first of thank you for your bravery in service, and for raising a fine family. also your dedication to your country, and family will always be valued. you'll always be missed your grandson Nicky Burgos.

[@JavierHernandez-kg9du]

Este video me hace sentir sumamente orgulloso y que al fin se nos reconoce. Actualmente estoy sirviendo en el medio oriente en una misión sumamente importante. Y me da mas que orgullo que nosotros los puertorriqueños damos siempre más de lo que se nos pide y dejamos la huella en cualquier misión que se nos otorga. Es una pena que todavía en el siglo 21 se nos discrimina por nuestra raza o nuestro "language barrier" pero se les olvida que nosotros somos orgullosos de nuestro trabajo y más cuando somos "VOLUNTARIOS". Orgulloso de ser Boricua y mi bandera la llevo donde quiera que la misión requiera...!!!

[@dirtyhairy8884]

🇵🇷¡¡¡HOOAH Borinqueneers!!!🇵🇷

[@lipio0628]

Heru, thanks for thats words....

[@themusicalmachine9413]

My Grandpa was in the 65th infantry

[@tyranoman1]

My grandmother's brother was in the 65th infantry too

[@Machete978]

1898 was invasion of Puerto Rico oldest colony to this day.

[@robertobonet7377]

Dios bendiga a mi gente y todos que dieron su Vida para un mejor,futuro,y para la nueva generacion,Jesus cristo, pon tu mano De bendciones en ellos ,y vamo palante con el favor De Dios, ✨

[@antoniocapone661]

Wepaaaaaaa!!!

[@Chimoltrufia40]

BRAVO POR OBAMA 🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷 TARDE PERO LLEGÓ SU RECONOCIMIENTO

[@A.E.Segura]

Ok, ahora es que yo vengo a cachar esto. El más alto honor para civiles?! Los Boriqueneers eran un fucking regimiento militar. WTF. Alguien que me explique, por favor.

[@dannyflores9892]

Hero’s, hey Congress fyi, Puerto Ricans deserve a few seats 💺 at the table wink wink 🗳️ 100 plus years or something in that nature. Los honro todos los días con mi acción. Americano 🇺🇸 hecho, nacido en Puerto Rico 🇵🇷🙌🏼💯❤️ realmente no quieres drama 🎭. saludo 🫡 🔫🇺🇸#sendinTHEREAL #Ame-Rican. ¡¡No se puede deletrear americano sin el rico!! I honor them everyday with my action. American 🇺🇸 made, Puerto Rican born 🇵🇷🙌🏼💯❤️ you don’t really want no drama 🎭. salute 🫡 🔫🇺🇸#sendinTHEREAL #Ame-Rican. Can’t spell American without the Rican in it!!

[@celestinocordova1414]

Celestino Cordova Borinqueneer

[@bryancarrasquillo66]

Ivonne solla siempre con su discurso anti americano. Buscando empañar tan importante reconocimiento!

[@jimmymejias90]

Mami ..silencio que no escucho hablar al presidente..

[@djonenonly6332]

La 65 INC.

[@mikerhode2324]

star wars rise of skywalker

[@damianrodriguz748]

GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA🇺🇸🗽✨ GOD BLESS MY LAND PUERTO RICO 🇵🇷😤🇺🇸🗽

[@melindahernandez8778]

A PROUD DAY FOR HISPANIC AMERICANS. ASK THE MEN WHO SERVED IF THEY IDENTIFY AA HISPANIC OR PUERTORIQUENOS? HONOR THEM BY HONORING THEIR HERITAGE. QUE VIVA PUERTO RICO LIBRE DE LA OPRESIÓN DE los estados unidos!!!!

[@Chimoltrufia40]

Ningún libre. Yo amo ser parte de USA 🇵🇷🇺🇸 NUNCA SEREMOS OTRA CUBA NI VENEZUELA. Los q están oprimidos son Cuba y Venezuela lastimosamente.por el COMUNISMO.

[@fredericovega5087]

You have to question why in the United States of America are not educating us in school about the 65th Infantry🤔 we bled and die for this country. So you can take tax money from the island of Puerto Rico but the island of Puerto Rico cannot vote for United States president🤔 land of the free, home of the white i mean the home of the brave😉

[@Chimoltrufia40]

Así es.

[@yucawhotv6714]

"Boriqueneers"!!!! No " Borinqueneers", bruta, sin la "n"!!!!!!! Buena jugadora de voleibol en las Pinkins de Corozal de los 70 anyway

[@tonypereira2287]

Yeah I remember them but unfortunately they died in a plane crash

[@joselopezmoya9786]

Estos boricuas estaban segregados por ser BORICUAS y porque no eran blanquitos.