2014 -- S 2728

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LC005096

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT THE RHODE ISLAND DELEGATION TO THE

UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS SUPPORT

FEDERAL LEGISLATION THAT WOULD AWARD THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD

MEDAL TO THE 65TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, KNOWN AS THE BORINQUENEERS,

FOR THEIR HONORABLE MILITARY SERVICE

     

     Introduced By: Senators Pichardo, Felag, Jabour, Picard, and Metts

     Date Introduced: March 05, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

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     WHEREAS, On March 2, 1899, by an Act of Congress, the first Puerto Rican military

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unit was established. It was a volunteer battalion that grew to regiment size by 1900. A second

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Act of Congress made the Puerto Rican Regiment part of the United States Army on May 27,

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1908; and

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     WHEREAS, The 65th Infantry Regiment, while not deployed in World War I, was the

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first unit of the United States Army to fight German forces. On March 21, 1915, a German

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supply ship tried to force its way out of San Juan Harbor to deliver supplies to German U-boats in

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the Atlantic, but was stopped and forced to surrender the ship and supplies by Puerto Rican forces

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positioned at El Morro Castle; and

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     WHEREAS, In 1920, the Puerto Rican Regiment was renamed the 65th Infantry

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Regiment by the reorganization Act of 1920. During World War II, the “Borinqueneers” were

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sent to guard the Panama Canal. Later in the war, in 1944, they were deployed to North Africa,

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Italy, Corsica, France, and the Maritime Alps, where they engaged in their first combat of World

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War II and suffered 47 casualties; and

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     WHEREAS, It was during the Korean War that the 65th Infantry Regiment, the

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“Borinqueneers,” became noted for its valor, courage and exploits on the battlefield. In August of

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1950, the 65th Infantry Regiment landed at Pusan, South Korea and faced a grave situation as

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United States and United Nations forces were reeling from the attack from the north by

 

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communist forces in June of 1950. The 65th Infantry Regiment immediately saw combat, helping

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the United States to hold the Pusan perimeter and later taking an active part in the breakout that

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drove the communist forces back to the north; and

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     WHEREAS, Later in the Korean War, after Chinese forces had intervened and attacked

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United States and United Nations forces, the United States Eighth Army had been overrun and the

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1st Marine Division was completely encircled. The Marines fought their way to the port city of

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Hungnam, the only escape route available, and it was the 65th Infantry Regiment that was tasked

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with the crucial assignment of holding the perimeter around that vital city. The 65th Infantry

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Regiment held their positions thereby allowing many thousands of United States and United

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Nations forces to escape back to South Korea; and

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     WHEREAS, Altogether, the 65th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War saw military

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action in nine major campaigns and earned a Presidential Unit Citation, a Meritorious Unit

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Commendation, and two Republic of Korea Unit Citations. Individual members earned four

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Distinguished Service Crosses and 124 Silver Stars. More than 750 had perished and 2,400 had

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been wounded; and

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     WHEREAS, In 1959, the regiment was allotted to the Puerto Rican National Guard,

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where the 65th Infantry Regiment still serves to this day. In defense of our nation since 1899,

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members of the 65th Infantry Regiment have earned 628 Bronze Stars, 258 Silver stars, 10

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Distinguished Service Crosses, and more than 2,700 Purple Hearts; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby respectfully requests that the Rhode Island delegation to the United States Congress and

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the United States Congress support legislation that would award the Congressional Medal to the

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65th Infantry Regiment, known as the “Borinqueneers,” for their honorable military service; and

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be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, the

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Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate Majority

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Leader.

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LC005096

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