Bill Posey: “I would also like to say I am pleased to be here today and joined by Resident Commissioner Pierluisi in support of a…”

“I would also like to say I am pleased to be here today and joined by Resident Commissioner Pierluisi in support of a bill awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Puerto Rico's 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Borinqueneers. When the Korean war erupted in 1950, the soldiers of the regiment served in a segregated unit, despite President Truman's order desegregating the military 2 years earlier. Army commanders doubted the effectiveness of these Puerto Rican troops, calling them ``rum and Coca-Cola soldiers.'' They were required to use separate showering facilities and ordered under penalty of court-martial not to speak Spanish. They were even told to shave their mustaches until ``they gave proof of their manhood.'' Despite this adversity, the Regiment embraced their Hispanic heritage, calling themselves ``Borinqueneers'' after the Taino word for Puerto Rico. The Regiment served with distinction during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in December 1950. Fighting alongside the 1st Marine Division, they covered one of the greatest strategic withdrawals in military history. Fighting in temperatures as low as Negative 37 degrees, the Borinqueneers were among the last defenders of Hungham harbor, and suffered tremendous casualties during the evacuation. The Regiment later participated in numerous battles, conducting the last recorded battalion-size bayonet charge in Army history.…”