Record #: R2013-589   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 6/5/2013 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 6/5/2013
Title: Gratitude extended to 65th Infantry Regiment (Borinqueneers) for selfless military service and call for President Barack Obama and U.S. Congress to award U.S. Congressional Gold Medal
Sponsors: Reboyras, Ariel, Moreno, Proco Joe, Fioretti, Bob, Pope, John, Balcer, James, Cardenas, George A., Quinn, Marty, Burke, Edward M., Foulkes, Toni, Munoz, Ricardo, Zalewski, Michael R., Solis, Daniel, Maldonado, Roberto, Suarez, Regner Ray, Mell, Richard F., Colón, Rey, Sposato, Nicholas
Attachments: 1. R2013-589.pdf
RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The United States 65th Infantry Regiment (Borinqueneers) traces its' lineage from the first U.S. Infantry Battalion of native Puerto Rico Volunteer Troops authorized by Congress in 1899; and,

WHEREAS, During World War I, the Selective Service Draft law was extended to include Puerto Rico and the U.S. 65th Infantry went to war and defended the Panama Canal; and,

WHEREAS, During World War II, the U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment gallantly served in North Africa and Europe combat and won the following Battle Campaign Awards: Naples-Foggian, Rome-Arne, Central Europe, and Rhineland Campaigns. After the war, the U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment was assigned dangerous security, anti-sabotage and other occupation missions around Kaiserslautern & Mannheim, Germany. The 65th Infantry were among the last units to come home; and,

WHEREAS, During the Korean War, the U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment distinguished themselves over a three year period by receiving nine Korean Battle Campaign Awards, the Presidential and Meritorious Unit Commendations, two Korean Presidential Unit Citations, the Greek Gold Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, and many other awards for bravery; and,

WHEREAS, The U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment was awarded 9 Battle Campaign Awards for bravery: UN Defense-1950, UN Offense-1950, CCF lntervention-1950, First UN Counterattack Offensive-1951, UN and CCF Spring Offensive-1951, UN Summer-Fall Offensive-1951, 2nd Korean Winter 1951-52, Korean Summer-Fall-1952 and 3rd Korean Winter-1952-53; and,

WHEREAS, Over the span of World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, the U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment earned ten Distinguished Service Crosses, 258 Silver Stars, 628 Bronze Stars, over 2,700 Purple Hearts, and many other individual awards; and,

WHEREAS, The U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment (Borinqueneers) Colors were passed to the United States Territory of Puerto Rico National Guard in 1959 (which today is fighting in the World War on Terrorism). This is the only time...

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