They Pray Like Angels and Fight Like Demons
“The Puerto Ricans are proud of their heritage, and on top of that, the soldiers of the 65th Infantry are very proud of their Regiment . . .” - William W. Harris, Commanding Officer, 65th Infantry Regiment
Fought in sub-zero temperatures, brutal terrain, and knee-deep snow, the Chosin-Hungnam campaign, the most costly and potentially disastrous four weeks of the Korean War, had a lasting impact on Korea and 20th century history.
Although numerous books, articles, and eyewitness accounts have been written about the historic battle and evacuation, the role of the US Army’s 65th Infantry Regiment, or “Borinqueneers,” as the all-Puerto Rican unit was called, has been largely overlooked.
Por Puertorro!
Arriving on the Korean peninsula just days after the Inchon Landing, the men of the 65th Infantry were disappointed. They had missed out on a massive amphibious operation. With Seoul liberated two weeks later and the North Koreans retreating, the Borinqueneers, like many US soldiers, believed the war was winding down. It seemed that they had lost their chance to prove themselves in battle and make Puerto Rico proud.
The Borinqueneers now looked to their commanding officer, Colonel William W. Harris, a West Point graduate and WWII veteran, to get them to the front lines. Harris had been with the Puerto Ricans for over a year, preparing them for combat and developing a close relationship with the unit’s officers and enlisted men. He was confident they could fight.
A proud Borinqueneer in Korea, 1951. (PC: Center for Puerto Rican Studies)
Soon after landing in Busan, South Korea, Harris told the skeptical Eighth Army commander, General Walton Walker, “These are the best soldiers I’ve ever seen . . . I have no worries about the Puerto Ricans’ fighting ability or courage. I’m prepared to go with them into battle against anybody.”
Into the Breach
Over the next 30 days, the Borinqueneers did exactly what Harris had predicted. They fought – and well. In almost every enemy engagement, they made their commander, the citizens of Puerto Rico, and their families proud. Their background (many had served in WWII), training, and courage under fire were exemplary. By the end of October, 1950, the 65th had “taken a total of 921 prisoners and killed or wounded more than 600 enemy soldiers,” all at a loss of 38 Puerto Rican casualties (Honor and Fidelity: The 65th Infantry in Korea, 1950-1953).
The top brass in Korea, Tokyo, and Washington took notice. The men previously labeled as “rum and Coca-Cola” soldiers were proving they could fight. Even MacArthur was impressed. Writing to military officials, he said the Borinqueneers "are showing magnificent ability and courage in field operations.”
Their next challenge, however, would come in the frigid, wind-swept mountains and landing beaches of North Korea.
Marines making their way down the MSR to Hungnam. (PC: USMC Archives)
Fighting the Chinese
Landing at Wonsan, a port city on the east coast of Korea, in early November 1950, the Borinqueneers moved North, inflicting heavy casualties on the retreating North Koreans. MacArthur's “Home by Christmas” offensive would soon end the war, they were told.
Everything changed, however, on the night of November 27, 1950. With over 120,000 Chinese launching a massive assault against approximately 30,000 US, British, and ROK Marines and soldiers at the Chosin Reservoir, an isolated, frozen lake near the Manchurian border, the war had suddenly taken on an entirely new dimension.
Outnumbered and suffering from heavy casualties, UN forces, the majority being US Marines, were forced to retreat, or as their Commanding General Oliver P. Smith put it, “attack in another direction.” During the epic breakout to Hungnam, seventy miles away, the 65th was assigned to defend key segments of the escape route.
Borinqueneers in a defensive position near Hungnam. (PC: US Archives)
The Borinqueneers, fighting as part of Task Force Dog and Task Force Childs, kept the Chinese at bay for days as the hard-hit Marine and Army units made their way from Chosin down the narrow, snow-covered dirt road known as the Main Supply Route, or MSR. On numerous occasions, the 65th Regiment’s skillful defense of strategic areas along the route prevented Chinese attackers from cutting off the retreating Americans.
By December 11, the breakout was complete. Over 100,000 soldiers and Marines were now at Hungnam ready for evacuation. The 65th had done their part in securing the MSR and had again proved their worth in combat. But their duties in North Korea were far from over.
The Last to Leave
During the next two weeks, the 65th, ordered to defend the American perimeter around Hungnam, repelled numerous “probing attacks” and enemy assaults. Despite their losses, the Borinqueneers held their ground, enabling 105,000 US, British, and ROK troops, 17,500 vehicles, 350,000 bulk tons of equipment, and nearly 100,000 North Korean refugees to be loaded onto US Navy and Merchant Marine ships.
The “amphibious operation in reverse,” as it was later called, would go down in history as the greatest amphibious withdrawal of the Korean War and largest beachhead evacuation of civilians, under combat conditions, in American history.
Throughout the historic operation, the soldiers of 65th continued to man their fighting holes, bunkers, and command posts. On December 24, 1950, they were in the last wave of Americans to be evacuated from the port.
The last men of the 65th Infantry, exhausted buy joyful, leave Hungnam on Christmas Eve, 1950. (PC: US Archives)
The Borinqueneers had proved they could fight as well as any unit in the US Army. A corporal with the 65th later told a Stars and Stripes reporter, “We are proud to be part of the UN forces, and we are proud of our country. We are glad for the chance to fight the communists and also for the chance to put Puerto Rico on the map.”
And they did.
Since their arrival in Korea, the Borinqueneers had fought honorably, earned numerous awards for valor, and suffered over 700 casualties. During their combat operations in North Korea alone, the men of the 65th had received twenty-four Silver Stars.
More than 61,000 Puerto Ricans served in the Korean War, many with the 65th Infantry. By the war’s end on July 27, 1953, over 3,500 Puerto Ricans were wounded in combat and 747 killed in action.
Corporal Julio Guzman and Sergeant Major Lupercio Ortiz of the 65th Infantry depart Hungnam on December 24, 1950.(PC: Center for Puerto Rican Studies)
Postscript:
While in Korea, the men of the 65th were frequently asked about their background and what made them so effective on the battlefield. Many replied it was their pride in being Puerto Rican, strong faith, and pre-battle prayers that made them such a successful combat unit.
As one of the three Catholic chaplains attached to the Borinqueneers later told a Stars and Stripes reporter, “We have the largest audience on the front lines.” Described as “devoutly religious,” the Puerto Ricans attended daily and Sunday mass in record numbers. Prayer before combat occurred regularly and one platoon leader, who made it a point to pray with his men before major engagements said, “They pray like angels and fight like demons.”
To all the men who served in the 65th Infantry Regiment and proudly claim the title “Borinqueneers,” we salute you. You are not forgotten.
The author would like to thank Noemi Figueroa, producer and director of the film documentary “The Borinqueneers,” and Jorge Mercado for their enthusiastic support and invaluable information on the Borinqueneers.
Top/Feature picture: Battle weary soldiers of the 65thInfantry North of the Han River, June 1951 (PC: US Army)
Gracias por tan interesante y completo artículo. Soy colombiana con grandes y valiosos amigos en Puerto Rico que a través de su música maravillosa como la del grupo “Fiel a la Vega” pone en perspectiva el gran valor de esta raza bravía y que también con su escrito se amplia. me encanta la historia de las diferentes culturas de nuestro mundo, sustentada en datos y circunstancias verídicas. Muchas gracias
Thank you, Liliana, Gracias. I appreciate your taking the time to read my blog about The Borinqueneers, a regiment with an incredible history.
It’s really great hearing from a reader in Colombia. Again, thank you!
Thank you and may God bless you always, Ned Forney. Awesome story…My Dad lead his squad to overtake this hill. My Dad’s Citation of Valor states: SERGEANT RALPH A. CHINEA, RA10406113, Infantry, Company “F”, 65th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On 31 March 1951, Company “F” was attacking a well-defended and determined enemy on Hill 398 in the vicinity of Choksong-myon, Korea. During the assault, Sergeant CHINEA fearlessly exposed himself to the fierce enemy automatic weapons fire in order to lead his squad through the open hazardous terrain. Not stopping to protect himself, Sergeant CHINEA, pressed forward until his sector of the enemy line had been captured and the enemy routed. Sergeant CHINEA’S heroic and brave determination reflects great credit upon himself and the military service. My family are very proud of my Dad’s and “Chinea” Military legacy. All of his 4 Brothers was there too. I’m, Female Veteran, who served during the USAF Gulf War era and my son, Christopher served as USAF SERE in Afghanistan in 2012. 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Thank you for sharing this story, Maria! Your father was a true American hero, and I salute him for his service and sacrifices during the Korean War. As you know, South Korea is an amazing place to live today because of the sacrifices of men like him and the hard work of the Korean people.
I also salute your uncles and all the Borinqueneers as well as you and your son. Thank you for your service to our country!
We appreciate your taking the time to write and are glad you enjoyed the story.
Thanks for this great article of my people. My father Arturo Sepulveda served and fought in Korea. I also served two tours on Korea from 1977-1978 and 1980-1982.
Thanks for reading the blog and commenting, Wilfredo.
I salute your father for his service during the Korean War. You must be very proud of him and all the men of the 65th Infantry.
We also appreciate your service and hope that you had a good experience in Korea. It must have been especially meaningful for you to be stationed here.
Honor et Fidelitas
Excelent article I has two uncles that served in the Korean War Ramon Lopez Rodriquez (RIP) and Luis F Heredia Nieves also I follow their footsteps and joined the Army from 1974-1996 retired after 22 years, served as a contractor in Roosevelt Road Navy Station and Sabana Seca Naval Securty Station once both places closed down I got a job at the San Juan VA then transfer to Orlando VA was part in the installation of more than 3000 computers at the New Lake Nona Hospital. All my career since 1974 at I was 17 has been with the Federal Gov. I retired in 2017. Once again thank you for your stories
It’s great to hear from you, Juan.
I salute your uncles for their service in the Korean War. Also, thank you for your 22 years of service to our country. You had a very interesting career, and I’m sure it was also rewarding.
We appreciate your reading the blog and commenting.
This is a great story and more people should hear about it. i know most of the KOREAN WAR Veterans are never properly remembered or recognized for their part in our History. I learned some about the Korean War as I am originally from the Philippines and we kept close track of what was going on in Korea. My late husband, William F. Schaefer was a Korean War veteran who went on to serve a total of 21 years in the Service mostly with the US Air Force.
I had never heard of the Borinqueneers before but I think they were a great group and a real asset to the US. May we never forget them. God Bless Them All and they should all be given their just due by the Department of Defense.
Thank you for sharing your moving stories.
Thanks for your heartfelt comment, Lourdes. I’m glad you enjoy these stories and appreciate your writing.
I was stationed in the Philippines in the late ’80s as a Marine; I really enjoyed my time there and hope to get back there again soon.
I salute your late husband for his service. We owe our Korean War veterans so much, and I’m glad to do my part in honoring them.
On Jan 1953 in NY wanting to go fight in Korea I forged my birth certificate to join the Army and they rejectet me, it wasn’t until June 1958 that I enlisted and an retired in 1989 as a Recruiting SGM.
Thanks for sharing this, William. Amazing to hear about the young men who used to forge their birth certificates to enlist!
I salute you for your service in the Army and appreciate your reading the blog and commenting.
As a 3y/o boy in March or April of 1951, I attended my father’s funeral march and burial in Juncos, Puerto Rico. I distinctly remember the sound of Taps
and the gunshots as they lowered his remains into their final resting place. He was the first citizen of that town to be KIA in Korea during Operation Courageous in March 1951.
A neighbor of my father’s family who also served in Korea reported that he was nearby and heard the mine explosion that killed Joaquin Torres Orellana and some other Borinqueneers.
I attempted to get more specific information on my father’s circumstances, but was informed many of our soldiers’ records were lost during a fire in St.Louis Archives.
Thank you for your accurate description of the Borinqueneers role during Chosin Reservoir Evacuation as some other historians have not been as transparent.
I salute your father for making the ultimate sacrifice during the Korean War. We owe him and all the men who fought with him so much. We must never forget what the Borinqueneers did for Korea and America.
I also salute you and your family for the sacrifices you’ve made.
Thanks for reading the blog and sharing your moving story, Ricardo.
Fascinating story. I heard of the Borinqueneers, but didn’t know they were at the Battle at the Chosin Reservoir. That pivotal battle changed Cold War Doctrine and policy to containment of Communist nations, and cemented the Cold War face-off with a strong show of force, and unflinching resolve.
Thanks for the great comment, Doug. You’re right- the Battle of Chosin had huge repercussions for Northeast Asia and the Cold War.
The Borinqueneers definitely played an important part in securing the MSR as the Marines and soldiers made their way to Hungnam.
Appreciate the feedback, as always!