Congressional Gold Medals awarded to 4 Borinqueneers in Lorain, Ohio
LORAIN, Sept. 19, 2016: Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), along with representatives of the Smithsonian Museum, the Ohio Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs (OCHLA), the Lorain Historical Society, and the Lorain Arts Council, presented the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian award, to: Miquel Berlingeri, Carlos Móntes, Julio Santiago-Montanez, and Francisco Colón, four members of the U.S. Army’s 65th Infantry Regiment in recognition of their pioneering military service.
Antonio Barrios (Pres. of the Lorain Arts Council) made the introductions and closing remarks at the filled-to-capacity program at the Lorain Historical Society.
The 65th Infantry Regiment was the first segregated Latino military unit and the first unit of the Korean War to receive such distinction, which was awarded to “The Borinqueneers” in April of this year. Congresswoman Kaptur was a co-sponsor of the legislation to honor The Borinqueneers with a Congressional Gold Medal, HR 1726.
Nicknamed “The Borinqueneers” from the original Taíno name of the island (Borinquen), was a segregated Puerto Rican regiment of the U.S. Army. The 65th Infantry Regiment – which was created when Puerto Rico became a US Territory in 1898 after the Spanish American War – participated in World War I, World War II and the Korean War.
The medal is held by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History for long-term preservation but is on loan from the Smithsonian and will be on display in Lorain, Ohio for this very special occasion. The Borinqueneers join a small list receiving this honor. Others include: Tuskegee Airmen; Women Airforce Service Pilots; The Monuments Men, Native American Code Talkers, Nisei Japanese American soldier medal.
Ms. Kaptur worked closely with the Smithsonian to arrange for the Congressional Gold Medal to be on display in Lorain on Monday. Prior to the medal’s presence in Lorain it was on display in Puerto Rico, and on Tuesday will return to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC.
During the regiment’s long history since the first shots of World War I to the end of the Korean War, more than 100,000 Borinqueneers have distinguished themselves as true US-American war heroes. The motto of the Borinqueneers is “Honor Et Fidelitas,” which is Latin for “Honor and Fidelity.” There are less than 1,000 known living Borinqueneers.
During the Korean War, the Borinqueneers faced discrimination while, where they had to use separate facilities and risked punishment if caught speaking Spanish. The soldiers earned numerous awards for their notable service, including one Medal of Honor, nine Distinguished Service Crosses, approximately 250 silver stars and more than 2,700 Purple Hearts. The 65th Infantry Regiment was the last segregated regiment in combat and their sacrifices led to the complete integration of the U.S. military.
The Fighting Borinqueneers achieved glory in February 1951 when they charged Chinese positions with bayonets fixed, opening an escape route for U.S. Marines who had been trapped near the Chosin Reservoir.
Editor’s Note: Lorain has the highest percentage of Puerto Ricans of any city west of the Appalachian Mountains, and Puerto Ricans make up nearly 20 percent of Lorain's overall population. Lorain was also home to the late Navy Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, another military recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal.
On the Internet: The Borinqueneers video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1Lin7yNSoQ
PBS Documentary: https://borinqueneers.com/film
Congressional Gold Medal coverage (in Spanish): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4xaeH44YoQ
LaPrensa article: https://www.laprensatoledo.com/Stories/2009/070309/PRCC.htm