..News From The Korean
War ..
65th Infantry Regiment
January 28, 1952
Korean Earth To Puerto Rico
..News From The Korean
War ..
SOMEWHERE IN KOREA (INS)- A can full of Korean earth, hallowed by the sacrifices of Puerto Rican American soldiers, is on its way to Corozal, Puerto Rico,where it will become part of a monument to Puerto Ricans who gave their lives in Korea. Col. Julian B Lindsay, commanding officer of the 65th Regimental Combat Team, dug the symbolic earth out of the frozen ground last Monday, and placed it in a special container. Looking on were Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Cross, 3d Division Commander and five American Red Cross officials. The can of Korean dirt was handed over to the Red Cross, which will forward it to the Lion's club of Corozal. The frozen, snow-covered soil was taken from ground over which the Puerto Rican Regiment has battled, and from an area where men have died. It will be placed in the cornerstone of the Corozal monument.
bat Team - one of the first national guard regiments to
be fullyWITH U.S. 3D DIV (UP)- Col. Juan Cordero of San Juan, P.R. has taken
over as commanding officer of the 65th Puerto Rican Regiment, it was announced
Tuesday. Cordero replaced Col. Julian C.
Lindsey. He was former commanding officer of the 296th Regimental
Combat Team in Puerto Rico, in which about two thirds of the 65th's
soldiers trained before coming to Korea. THIS IS CORDERO's second term of
duty with the 65th. During World War II in Europe, he was battalion
commander
in the regiment and later became regimental executive officer. In 1946, he
organized the 296th Regimental Com organized since the end of World War II.
A harrowing ten minute dash
across an open field- in a deliberate, successful attempt to draw enemy
fire -
recently one patrol of the 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, to save
another
regimental patrol from heavy casualties. The heroic run under enemy mortar
fire was made by the Raiders, a battle patrol of the 3d Battalion, led
by 2d Lt. Pedro Torres-Garcia, Rio Blanco, Naguabo, Puerto Rico. LEARNING that a Company K patrol
was pinned down on the frozen bank of the Imjin river, with four men
wounded
and the escape route covered by exploding enemy shells, the Raiders,
who
had been on a nearby reconnaissance mission, lost no time in coming to
the
rescue. When the Radiers approached the
enemy positions, however, Torres realized that, without heavy weapons,
he could not assault the Reds. Both patrols were now under hostile
mortar fire, and the patrol leader made his decision: the Raiders
would make a break for safety, exposing themselves, so that the Company
K patrol, with its wounded, could make its way back to friendly lines. THE BOLD decision made, the
Raiders stripped off their heavier garments and began running across
the frozen
rice paddies, in full view of the Chinese gunners. Sprinting, slipping
and
stumbling, they were halfway to safety when the Reds shifted their fire. Stopping only for their wounded -
three minor casualties were suffered - the Raiders finally reached the
cover of a hill and fell, gasping for breath, to the frozen ground, They later learned that the
selfless device had been successful. During their exposed flight, the
Company K patrol escaped.
With U.S. 3D DIV - Anyone care
for a dish of pasteles, arroz con pollo, or arroz con gandules? Sixteen cases of Puerto Rican
native culinary delicacies recently were distributed among troops of
the 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division. A gift of the Lions club of
Bayamon, Puerto Rico, the packages were accepted eagerly by
Borinqueneers grown accustomed to Army chow during their service in
Korea. Distribution was made by Ernest
Cafege, Red Cross field director for the 65th Infantry Regiment.
WITH U.S. 3D DIV - Men of the 65th Regiment, 3d
Division, now have something new to fight for - their own constitution. The document, recently approved
by the
Puerto Rican legislature, is similar to the Constitution of the United
States
which formerly was the only constitution under which Puerto Ricans
lived. MRS. INES M. DE MUNOZ MARIN, wife
of the Puerto Rican governor, sent a copy of the new constitution to
the Borinqueneers, saying that this was another democratic institution
the Puerto Ricans are fighting for in Korea. "All Puerto Ricans are proud of
their regiment in Korea," she continued,, "and we hope this
constitution will give further assurance of the freedoms you are
defending so gallantly. "HAVING ENJOYED these freedoms for
many years under the constitution of the United States, the men of the
65th received word of the new constitution with interest. "We know and understand the
things
we are fighting for in Korea," said Cpl. Manuel Ramirez of Bayamon,
P.R.,
"but of course it is better to have a document of our own, stated in
the
words of our people." "NOW WE HAVE two constitutions to
defend," added Cpl. Servando Castro Hernandez, also of Bayamon. The new constitution will not
affect the Puerto Ricans' American citizenship, conferred upon them by
the organic act of 1917. That same act granted Puerto Ricans the right
to elect their own legislature.
DISPLAYING a religious fervor like the Crusaders of old, the 65th
(Puerto Rican) Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Division today is carrying
the Maltese Cross (La Cruz de Malta) in Korea. Religion holds an important place
in the Puerto Rican family. It is not neglected by the soldiers in
Korea.
On Sunday, only the most
necessary
duties will keep the Borinqueneers, 90 percent of whom are Catholic,
away
from mass. The Protestant soldiers, although fewer in number, are
equally
as faithful in chapel attendance, according to Chaplain (Maj.) Ralph B.
Rott
of Marisdale, Pa., who is regimental Protestant chaplain. When the priest arrives at the
company chapel area for Sunday mass, the men have already assembled,
waiting for him.
This is the climax of their week, the day they lift their minds and
hearts
to God. Mass in the 65th is said in
Latin,
but the prayers and sermon are in Spanish. More than 500 Spanish
missals
have been distributed to the regiment by the 3rd Division chaplain. The
demand for new missals is high in the regiment. Religion in the 65th is not
limited to attendance at Sunday mass. At night, small groups of
Borinqueneers gather to worship and pray to God, through "Our Lady of
Guadalupe," patron saint of the regiment. Rifle Companies E and F have
initiated a nightly rosary devotion, a practice commonly followed by
families in Puerto Rico. Most of the men wear rosaries,
medals and scapulars around their necks, as a symbol of their faith in
God. Sacred pictures, brought by the men from Puerto Rico, adorn many
of the bunker walls. When one of the Borinqueneers is
killed of is listed as missing in action, amass is said in his behalf.
Some of the soldiers write to Puerto Rico to have special masses
offered for their departed comrades. Recently the mother of the
Headquarters Company mess sergeant died in Puerto Rico. For three
nights in the mess
tent, without the services of a chaplain, the cooks knelt- their heads
bowed
in prayer for repose of her soul. In time of trouble, the
Borinqueneers turn to God. During their attacks and patrols, they pray
silently, putting complete trust in the Lord who has watched over them
before. After a safe return, they thank Him. The Borinqueneers are devoted to
their chaplain. In Puerto Rico, the priest is the central figure of the
village life and is often called upon for legal and social as well as
moral assistance. This practice is continued by the soldiers in Korea.
Maj. John C. Brucker of
Springfield, Mass., regimental Catholic chaplain receives three times
as many callers
in the 65th as he did with continental units under combat conditions. "In most cases they want moral
assurance and some one to talk with," said Major Brucker. "When
something goes wrong in the family, the first person they think of is
the chaplain. On the other hand, they give the chaplain a respect and
cooperation rarely found in our modern society." The chaplain, to the
Borinqueneers, is a reminder that God still watches over them in Korea.
HEADQUARTERS
65TH INFANTRY REGIMENT
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING OFFICER
APO 468 C/O PM San Francisco, California
5 September 1952
Dear General Bathurst
I have heard so many favorable comments about the last group of
replacements coming from Puerto Rico, that I thought you should know
about it as I am sure you will feel very happy to know the results of
the good training conducted by the RTC at Camp Tortuguero.
Although most of the comments heard have been regarding the last
group, nevertheless, I can assure you that all the groups that we have
received since I have been here in Korea have made an outstanding
demons-
tration of discipline and training. All of them with little efforts
integrate into the different combat teams and behave like veterans.
I was amazed the last time we went to the lines. With a thousand
replacements recently received we were committed into combat and, while
moving in approach march towards the front line positions under an enemy
Artillery concentration, all the new men advanced with the least excite-
ment and an outstanding discipline and courage in spite of being their
first experience in combat. Their movement forward under artillery
shelling was so well controlled and organized that it looked like a
field
excercise instead of an actual operation. Apparently the men were not
afraid of the artillery, and while advancing did not show any indication
of fear. When we started to receive artillery fire I was somewhat
concerned and was afraid that some of the new men might get excited,
nervous, and confused, but on the contrary I was surprised of their
calm,
discipline and courage. I attribute this commendable attitude to the
Battle Indoctrination given at Salinas with overhead fire in which you
required the RTC and 296 RCT to hold the artillery concentration as
closed as possible to the advancing elements.
I have talked with several men from the different groups and all
show a high spirit and a great desire to participate in combat.
None
of them want to stay back. All prefer to be with the forward
units.
JUAN CESAR CORDERO
Certified true copy:
John J. Early, Maj. Inf
Information Officer
WITH 65TH REGIMENT SEPT. 19 (UP)- A battle-scarred
Puerto Rican flag riddled by 20 shrapnel holes while flying on "San
Juan Hill"
was hauled down for the last time yesterday and a new flag run up. The new flag, presented by the
San Juan
newspaper El Mundo and a second battle flag from the United Press
Bureau in
San Juan were turned over to the commander of the 65th Regiment of the
U.S.
3d Division, Col. Juan Cesar Cordero of Santurce. A COLOR GUARD headed by
Regimental
Sergeant Major
WITH THE 65TH REG'T, Sept. 28
(UP)- Los Borinqueneers have vowed to plant the "Lone Star of Puerto
Rico" on
Kelly Hill and rename the blood-stained height "Los Hiberos" in honor
of
their Puerto Rico countrymen. Col. Juan Cesar Cordero, commanding officer of the
65th infantry regiment, told his battered battalion: "In our determination to hold and
take Kelly is the prestige and glory of the 65th regiment. "The Eighth Army is depending on
the 65th Infantry Regiment to tell the Reds, we are on Kelly to stay on
Kelly. "MAY THE GOD almighty help us and
guide us in what we believe is a just cause to redeem the right of a
free mankind which we wish to pass on to our sons in a better world." Los Borinqueneers remember Sept.
24. An assault unit carrying the Puerto Rican flag was driven from
Kelly Hill by fanatical Chinese defenders on the second anniversary of
the regiment's arrival in Korea. "Nuestro Regimento" disembarked
in Pusan
on Sept.24, 1950, during the dark days of the Korean fighting when the
Communists
surged to the Pusan perimeter. One year ago Los Borinqueneers were
bitterly
fighting on the western front against the Chinese troops that had used
the
Kaesong armistice lull to strengthen their defenses. YESTERDAY, Puerto Rican troops
smashed to the crest of Kelly, carrying their flag, a symbol of the
newly achieved semi-statehood. A suicidal Chinese defense- Red
commanders called artillery in on their own troops - forced the
bleeding Borinqueneers to retreat. Ambulances and helicopters worked
long hours in evacuating the dead, dying and the wounded. SIX DAYS AGO A Chinese battalion
infiltrated and virtually annihilated the Puerto Rican force defending
the bloody outpost. The gallant defenders had been ordered "to hold the
hill to the last man." "Our men did not retreat,"
Cordero
said, "Because we cannot label as a retreat the withdrawal of a handful
of
valorous soldiers who made our lines only through a supreme effort
despite
their pain and loss of blood." It was only recently that United
Nations and Chinese troops ended their "gentlemen's agreement." The
Communists stayed on Kelly Hill during the night and UN soldiers manned
the hill's trenches during the day. "IT WAS AN UNWRITTEN gentleman's
agreement with the gentlemen only on this side of the line," Cordero
said. Rains drenched the sector of both Borinqueneers and Kelly Hill. In the
misery and mud of the rain-soaked and crumbling bunkers, men of the
65th cleaned their weapons, sharpened their bayonets and remembered. Yesterday- the regiment's second
anniversary in Korea- will not be forgotten.
Tokyo, Nov. 5 - Col. Juan Cesar Cordero, former
commander of the 65th Puerto Rico Infantry Regiment in Korea, is here
in Tokyo on
his way to the United States. In speaking of the 65th Regiment,
veteran of some of the most savage fighting in the Korean campaign,
Col. Cordero said,
"I feel very proud of having commanded such a group of loyal, brave,
and
aggressive fighters. It is with regret that I leave them. I shall pray
that
God will protect and guide them in all their future action." UPON HIS RETURN to Puerto Rico,
via Washington, D.C., Col. Cordero plans to return to his position as
executive director of the Puerto Rico housing authority and housing
coordinator for the governor of Puerto Rico. The former commander of
"Los Borinqueneers"
(citizens of Puerto Rico) is due to be separated from active duty some
time
in December. Cordero served with the 65th
Regiment during World War II as a battalion commander, regimental
supply officer,
and later as regimental executive. The unit participated in the North
African, Italian, and European campaigns. IN 1946, the colonel formed and
commanded the 296th Regimental Combat Team (National Guard). This unit
was later called to active duty and after extensive training was used
to fill rotation vacancies in the 65th Regiment. Col. Cordero then
volunteered and was granted the opportunity to serve with the veteran
Korean unit. On Feb. 5, 1952, he became the commanding officer. COL. CORDERO'S family resides in
Santurce, Puerto Rico, his wife, Mrs. Elvira Rabell Cordero, and three
children. Col. Cordero was graduated from
the University of Puerto Rico in 1925 and received his commission
through the ROTC.
"Look at their faces. Their faces
tell
us what they have been doing and what they are capable of doing," said
General
Matthew B, Ridgway, commanding United Nations forces in the Far East,
as
he described Puerto Rican soldiers last year. "The Puerto Ricans of our
Army
have done more than we expected of them," he declared. Just how much more the men of the
65th Infantry have done is revealed in a list of figures released by
the Army information
office. THESE FIGURES show that 246
Korean
veterans have been decorated in the Antilles Command as of Oct. 24,
1952.
Of this number, 2 have won the Distinguished Service Cross; 49, the
Silver
Star; 1, the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Silver Star; 3, the Soldier's
Medal;
154, the Bronze Star; 12, the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Bronze Star; 24,
the
Commendation Ribbon, and 1, the Service Star. These figures do not include the
medals presented to Puerto Ricans while they were in Japan or on the
battlefields. BRIG. GEN. PAUL E. Peabody
(Ret.) in a story in Vision magazine gives an unofficial figure of 700
madals won by Puerto Ricans in the service. His total includes Puerto
Rican servicemen from the continental United States. Gen. Peabody said
that four Distinguished Service Crosses, 134 Silver Stars, and 562
Bronze Stars had been won by Puerto Ricans. In battles which include
Kumpchon,
Yonghung, Wonsan, Hungnam and Pyongyang, Puerto Ricans have won these
medals
demonstrating their courage and their capabilities.
November 23, 1952
P.R. Bn Gets New CO
WITH U.S. 3D DIV, NOW. 23 (UP) - Lt. Col. Loyd E.
Wills, Hartford, Ala., has taken over as commanding officer of the 3d
Battalion, 65th Puerto Rican Infantry Regiment.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 (AP)- The
commander of the 65th (Puerto Rican) Regiment in Korea said today that
men from the island make about 8 percent of the total United States
combat strength on the battleline in the Far East. Col. Juan Cesar Cordero, who
recently left his command in Korea, told reporters at a Pentagon
conference that
in addition to the personnel of the 65th Regiment there are from 1500
to
2000 other Puerto Ricans attached to other U.S. divisions. IN THE 11 MONTHS he commanded the
regiment he was constantly besieged by Puerto Ricans in those other units for permission to join the
65th,
he said. Cordero expressed the opinion
that
at least two additional Puerto Rican battalions could be formed in
Korea
and attached to the 65th. The colenel thought this would be a good idea
and
that it would help the already very high morale of the regiment. Cordero pointed with pride to the
persistent refusal of the men of his regiment to withdraw in the face
of heavy enemy onslaughts during the bitter fighting in September and
October. HE SAID THAT one detachment numbering 125 men
suffered 100 percent casualties in refusing to vacate an outpost
position. The only survivors of the detachment, he said. were 13
seriously wounded men who
managed to roll down a hill to eventual rescue by U.S. troops. THE 65TH IS a regular Army
regiment which reached Korea in September, 1950. Subsequently the
regiment has been replaced with men from the 296th National Guard
Regimental Combat Team of Puerto Rico, but the 65th designation has
been retained because of the great pride, the colonel said, that its
members and the people of the island take in the unit. Cordero is returning to San Juan
in the near future to resume his post as executive director of the
Puerto Rican housing authority.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 27 (UP) - Puerto Rican losses in
the Korean War passed - the
3000 mark today with the announcement of 31 new battle casualties
sustained this week.
