The 65th Infantry Regiment nicknamed "The Borinqueneers"; was an all volunteer Puerto Rican Regiment of the U.S. Army whose motto was Honor and Fidelity and which participated in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

Puerto Ricans have participated in every major American military conflict, from the American Revolution when volunteers from Puerto Rico, Cuba and Mexico fought the British in Massachusetts in 1775 under the command of Captain General Torre, to the present day conflict in Iraq. However, it was during the Korean War that Puerto Ricans suffered the most casualties as members of an all Hispanic volunteer unit. One of the problems that they faced was the difference in languages, the common foot soldier spoke only Spanish, while the commanding officers were mostly English speaking Americans. Another problem that they faced was the climate factor. However, despite the hardships suffered by the members of the 65th Infantry, Puerto Ricans were to serve with pride and honor.

World War I

On July 1, 1898, "The Porto Rico Regiment of Infantry, United States Army" was created and approved by the U.S. Congress on May 27, 1908. They trained in Camp Las Casas in Santurce, a section of San Juan. On May 3, 1917, the Regiment recruited 1,969 men, considered at that time as war strength. On May 14, 1917, the Regiment was sent to Panama in defense of the Panama Canal Zone. The Regiment returned to Puerto Rico on March 1919 and was renamed "The 65th Infantry" by the Reorganization Act of June 4, 1920.

World War II

In 1942, at the outbreak of World War II, the 65th Infantry underwent an extensive training program and in 1943, it was sent to Panama to protect the Pacific and the Atlantic sides of the Isthmus. On 1944, the Regiment was sent to North Africa, arriving at Casablanca where they underwent further training. By April 29, 1944, the Regiment had landed in Italy and moved on to Corsica. On September 22, 1944, the 65th Infantry landed in France and was committed to action on the Maritime Alps at Peira Cava. They suffered a total of forty seven battle casualties. The first Puerto Rican to be killed in action from the 65th Infantry was Sgt. Angel Martinez , from the town of Sabana Grande. On April 20, the 65th overran a subcamp of the Flossenburg Concentration Camp. On March 18, 1945, the Regiment was sent to the District of Manheim, Germany and assigned to Military Government activities, anti-sabotage and security missions. In all, the 65th Infantry participated in the battles of Naples-Fogis, Rome-Arno, Central Europe and of the Rhineland. On October 27, 1945 the Regiment sailed from France arriving at Puerto Rico on November 9, 1945. The Regiment suffered a total of 260 casualties killed in action.

Korean War

On August 26, 1950, the 65th Infantry departed from Puerto Rico and arrived in Pusan, Korea on September 23, 1950. It was during the long sea voyage that the men nicknamed the 65th Infantry "Borinqueneers". The name is a combination of the words "Borinquen" (which was what the Tainos called the island before the arrival if the Spaniards) and "Buccaneers". The men of the 65th were the first infantrymen to meet the enemy on the battle fields of Korea. Among the hardships suffered by the Puerto Ricans was the lack of warm clothing during the cold and harsh winters. The enemy made many attempts to encircle the Regiment, but each time they failed because of the many casualties inflicted by the 65th. The 65th was part of a task force which enabled the U.S. Marines to withdraw from the Hauack-on Reservior on December 1950. When the Marines were encircled by the Chinese Communist troops close to the Manchurian border, the 65th rushed to their defense. As a consequence, the Marines were able to return safely to their ships.