Regiments · 1920–1956

65th Infantry Regiment (United States)

Puerto Rican regiment of the United States Army.

History

The 65th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed "The Borinqueneers" during the Korean War for the original Arawak Native Taino name for Puerto Rico (Borinquen), is a Puerto Rican regiment of the United States Army. The regiment's motto is Honor et Fidelitas, Latin for Honor and Fidelity. The Army Appropriation Bill created by an act of Congress on 2 March 1899 authorized the creation of the first body of native troops in Puerto Rico. On 30 June 1901, the "Porto Rico Provisional Regiment of Infantry" was organized. On 1 July 1908, Congress incorporated the regiment into the Regular Army as the Puerto Rico Regiment of Infantry, United States Army. On 14 May 1917, the regiment was activated and additional men were assigned, with the unit being sent to serve at Panama. On 4 June 1920, the regiment was renamed 65th Infantry. During World War II, the regiment saw action throughout Europe, especially France and Germany, participating in Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno and Rhin. Several Purple Hearts were awarded posthumously to members of the 65th Regiment.

The 65th Infantry Regiment participated in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Global War on Terrorism. On 10 June 2014, the 65th Infantry was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

Text from Wikipedia: 65th Infantry Regiment (United States), CC BY-SA 4.0, lightly trimmed.

Key dates

1899
On 2 March 1899, the Army received an assignation of funds and authorization meant to formally organize troops in Puerto Rico.
1917
When the United States declared war against Germany, the regiment was transferred to the regular Army and on 3 May 1917, recruited 1,969 men, considered at that time as war strength.
1944
The regiment remained at Fort Eustis until it departed the Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation on 26 March 1944, arriving in North Africa on 5 April 1944.
1950
Because the 65th held their positions, that enabled the U.S. Marines to withdraw from the Chosin Reservoir in December 1950.
1952
Between 23 November – 26 December 1952, ninety-five soldiers were tried by General Court-Martial in fifteen separate trials.
1959
On 6 February 1959, the regiment was deactivated from the Regular Army but the Puerto Rican Army National Guard soon adopted "65" as the identifying number for their existing 296th Regimental Combat Team at Losey Field, mainly composed of reserve component personnel.
2009
In 2009, Company C, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment was deployed to the Horn of Africa and stationed at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, after completing a 14-month deployment at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
2012
On 30 November 2012, an entire stretch of Southern Boulevard in the South Bronx, New York was co-named La 65 de Infantería Boulevard.
2019
On 13 December 2019, US President Donald Trump signed into law the H.R.2325 legislation to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Calle Alondra in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, as the "65th Infantry Regiment Post Office Building".

Dates and events quoted from the same Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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