WHEREAS, On March 2, 1899, by an Act of Congress, the first Puerto Rican military unit was established. It was a volunteer battalion that grew to regiment size by 1900. A second Act of Congress made the Puerto Rican Regiment part of the United States Army on May 27, 1908; and

WHEREAS, The 65^th Infantry Regiment, while not deployed in World War I, was the first unit of the United States Army to fight German forces. On March 21, 1915, a German supply ship tried to force its way out of San Juan Harbor to deliver supplies to German U-boats in the Atlantic, but was stopped and forced to surrender the ship and supplies by Puerto Rican forces positioned at El Morro Castle; and

WHEREAS, In 1920, the Puerto Rican Regiment was renamed the 65^th Infantry Regiment by the reorganization Act of 1920. During World War II, the “Borinqueneers” were sent to guard the Panama Canal. Later in the war, in 1944, they were deployed to North Africa, Italy, Corsica, France, and the Maritime Alps, where they engaged in their first combat of World War II and suffered 47 casualties; and

WHEREAS, It was during the Korean War that the 65^th Infantry Regiment, the “Borinqueneers,” became noted for its valor, courage and exploits on the battlefield. In August of 1950, the 65^th Infantry Regiment landed at Pusan, South Korea and faced a grave situation as United States and United Nations forces were reeling from the attack from the north by communist forces in June of 1950. The 65^th Infantry Regiment immediately saw combat, helping the United States to hold the Pusan perimeter and later taking an active part in the breakout that drove the communist forces back to the north; and

WHEREAS, Later in the Korean War, after Chinese forces had intervened and attacked United States and United Nations forces, the United States Eighth Army had been overrun and the 1^st Marine Division was completely encircled. The Marines fought their way to the port city of Hungnam, the only escape route available, and it was the 65^th Infantry Regiment that was tasked with the crucial assignment of holding the perimeter around that vital city. The 65^th Infantry Regiment held their positions thereby allowing many thousands of United States and United Nations forces to escape back to South Korea; and

WHEREAS, Altogether, the 65^th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War saw military action in nine major campaigns and earned a Presidential Unit Citation, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, and two Republic of Korea Unit Citations. Individual members earned four Distinguished Service Crosses and 124 Silver Stars. More than 750 had perished and 2,400 had been wounded; and

WHEREAS, In 1959, the regiment was allotted to the Puerto Rican National Guard, where the 65^th Infantry Regiment still serves to this day. In defense of our nation since 1899, members of the 65^th Infantry Regiment have earned 628 Bronze Stars, 258 Silver stars, 10 Distinguished Service Crosses, and more than 2,700 Purple Hearts; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests that the Rhode Island delegation to the United States Congress and the United States Congress support legislation that would award the Congressional Medal to the 65^th Infantry Regiment, known as the “Borinqueneers,” for their honorable military service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate Majority Leader.