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thousands of Puerto Ricans have served courageously in the armed
forces since World War I, their presence and sacrifices have gone
unnoticed in America. Many Americans are not familiar with the political
and socio-economic relationship between the United States and Puerto
Rico which makes Puerto Ricans U.S. citizens and requires them to
serve in the U.S. armed forces during wartime drafts, even though
they are not allowed to vote for President of the United States.
Puerto Ricans resisting the draft were sent to U.S. penitentiaries.
Thousands of other Puerto Ricans volunteered freely to help further
the cause of democracy.
This is the story of the
65th Infantry Regiment, the only Hispanic-segregated unit in U.S.
military history. This unique regiment with a long and honored
tradition has been the source of pride to many Puerto Ricans for
more than 100 years. From its inception as a volunteer regiment
in 1899 through its participation in World War I, World War II
and the Korean Conflict, the men of 65th Infantry Regiment served
with distinction. Mandated by Congress to be a segregated unit
comprised primarily of Puerto Ricans with mostly continental officers,
the 65th went on to demonstrate their military prowess in Korea
and earned the respect and admiration of their fellow soldiers
and the military authorities, including General Douglas MacArthur.
During the Korean War, the 65th was sent to battle on the front
lines and participated in nine major campaigns. In spite of the
overwhelming number of Chinese forces and harsh climate conditions,
the 65th proved themselves to be fierce warriors. They were nicknamed
"The Borinqueneers" from the word Borinquen, the name
the native Taino Indians called Puerto Rico. As U.S. soldiers,
the Puerto Ricans were thrown into a foreign culture and language
that many times responded with prejudice and discrimination. Some
barely spoke English. Despite these impediments, many Puerto Ricans
met the challenge and persevered. They served with distinction,
made valuable contributions to the war effort, and earned well-deserved
praise and commendation for their struggles and sacrifices. The
65th received a Presidential Unit Citation, a Meritorious Unit
Commendation, and two Republic of Korea Unit Citations. Although
still under research, to date, individual members of the unit
have been awarded 9 Distinguished Service Crosses, 163 Silver
Stars, 562 Bronze Stars and 1,014 Purple Hearts. For a small island,
it also suffered tremendous casualties disproportionate to its
population.
As the regiment's stay lengthened
in Korea, their military performance was affected by various factors.
At a particularly difficult battle at Outpost Kelly, the 65th
suffers more than 400 casualties, almost 10% of its total Korean
War casualties. In October of 1952, there were numerous casualties
again in a battle at Jackson Heights. This time, various troops
of the 65th refused to continue attacking what they regarded as
a suicide post. As a result, almost 100 men were court-martialed
and the Puerto Ricans were incorporated into various American
units. The 65th Infantry Regiment ceased to exist as an all-Puerto
Rican unit, but continued as an integrated unit even participating
at the famous Outpost Harry battle. Eventually, most of the sentences
were remitted and many of the soldiers were reinstated. The alarming
events that took place at Outpost Kelly and Jackson Heights have
not been adequately explained to the public and are shrouded in
mystery and controversy. This film will try to explain what really
happened there.
This is a story of men wrestling
with the conflict between their personal and two distinct national
identities, caught between their obligation to fulfill their military
duties and trying to survive in the midst of the harshest combat
conditions. The story of the forgotten men of the 65th will shed
light on their remarkable contributions, accomplishments and struggles.
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