65th Infantry Regiment (Borinqueneers) in the Korean War

The 65th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the Borinqueneers, was the only all-Hispanic unit in the U.S. Army during the Korean War (1950-1953). Composed almost entirely of Puerto Rican soldiers, the regiment compiled a distinguished combat record while their homeland was being bombed and their political leaders imprisoned.

Combat Record:
- Deployed to Korea in September 1950
- Participated in nine major campaigns
- Conducted the last battalion-sized bayonet charge in U.S. Army history at Outpost Kelly (1952)
- Received a Meritorious Unit Commendation and a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
- Individual soldiers received 10 Distinguished Service Crosses, 256 Silver Stars, and 606 Bronze Stars

The Paradox: The 65th fought in Korea at the exact same time that:
- The U.S. was bombing Jayuya and Utuado (October 1950)
- Over 1,000 Puerto Ricans were being arrested under the Gag Law
- Pedro Albizu Campos was being sentenced to 80 years in prison
- The colonial government was suppressing the independence movement

Puerto Rican soldiers were fighting and dying for American democracy abroad while American democracy was being denied to their families at home.

The Jackson Incident (1952): When the 65th suffered setbacks at Outpost Kelly, the commanding general replaced the Puerto Rican officers with mainland officers, and 95 soldiers were court-martialed for alleged disobedience — the largest mass court-martial since World War II. Most convictions were later overturned or reduced. Many historians view the courts-martial as racially motivated.

Recognition: In 2014, the Borinqueneers were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow. The ceremony was held 62 years after their service — a belated acknowledgment of sacrifice by soldiers who fought for a nation that treated their homeland as a colony.