{"id":3709,"date":"2019-03-23T12:53:39","date_gmt":"2019-03-23T03:53:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nedforney.com\/?p=3709"},"modified":"2019-03-29T07:21:23","modified_gmt":"2019-03-28T22:21:23","slug":"borinqueneers-65th-regiment-korean-war","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nedforney.com\/index.php\/2019\/03\/23\/borinqueneers-65th-regiment-korean-war\/","title":{"rendered":"They Pray Like Angels and Fight Like Demons"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Borinqueneers\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t

\u201cThe Puerto Ricans are proud of their heritage, and on top of that, the soldiers of the 65th\u00a0<\/sup>Infantry are very proud of their Regiment . . .\u201d \u00a0– William W. Harris, Commanding Officer, 65th\u00a0<\/sup>Infantry Regiment<\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/sup>century history.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Although numerous books, articles, and eyewitness accounts have been written about the historic battle and evacuation, the role of the US Army\u2019s 65th\u00a0<\/sup>Infantry Regiment, or \u201cBorinqueneers,\u201d as the all-Puerto Rican unit was called, has been largely overlooked.<\/p>\n

Por Puertorro!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Arriving on the Korean peninsula just days after the Inchon Landing<\/a>, the men of the 65th\u00a0<\/sup>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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s officers and enlisted men. He was confident they could fight.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"A

A proud Borinqueneer in Korea, 1951. (PC: Center for Puerto Rican Studies)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Soon after landing in Busan, South Korea, Harris told the skeptical Eighth Army commander, General Walton Walker, \u201cThese are the best soldiers I\u2019ve ever seen . . . I have no worries about the Puerto Ricans\u2019 fighting ability or courage. I\u2019m prepared to go with them into battle against anybody.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Into the Breach<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Over the next 30 days, the Borinqueneers did exactly what Harris had predicted. They fought \u2013 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 <\/sup>had \u201ctaken a total of 921 prisoners and killed or wounded more than 600 enemy soldiers,\u201d\u00a0all at a loss of 38 Puerto Rican casualties (Honor and Fidelity: The 65th Infantry in Korea, 1950-1953<\/em><\/a>).\u00a0<\/p>\n

The top brass in Korea, Tokyo, and Washington took notice. The men previously labeled as \u201crum and Coca-Cola\u201d 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their next challenge, however, would come in the frigid, wind-swept mountains and landing beaches of North Korea.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Marines

Marines making their way down the MSR to Hungnam. (PC: USMC Archives)<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/h2>\n

Fighting the Chinese<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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 \u201cHome by Christmas\u201d offensive would soon end the war, they were told.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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<\/a>, an isolated, frozen lake near the Manchurian border, the war had suddenly taken on an entirely new dimension.<\/p>\n

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, \u201cattack in another direction.\u201d During the epic breakout to Hungnam, seventy miles away, the 65th\u00a0<\/sup>was assigned to defend key segments of the escape route.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Borinqueneers

Borinqueneers in a defensive position near Hungnam. (PC: US Archives)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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. \u00a0On numerous occasions, the 65th\u00a0<\/sup>Regiment\u2019s skillful defense of strategic areas along the route prevented Chinese attackers from cutting off the retreating Americans.<\/p>\n

By December 11, the breakout was complete. Over 100,000 soldiers and Marines were now at Hungnam ready for evacuation<\/a>. The 65th\u00a0<\/sup>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.<\/p>\n

The Last to Leave<\/strong><\/h2>\n

During the next two weeks, the 65th<\/sup>, ordered to defend the American perimeter around Hungnam, repelled numerous \u201cprobing attacks\u201d 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<\/a> ships.<\/p>\n

The \u201camphibious operation in reverse,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

Throughout the historic operation, the soldiers of 65th\u00a0<\/sup>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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"he

The last men of the 65th Infantry, exhausted buy joyful, leave Hungnam on Christmas Eve, 1950. (PC: US Archives)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Borinqueneers had proved they could fight as well as any unit in the US Army. A corporal with the\u00a065th\u00a0<\/sup>later told a Stars and Stripes<\/em><\/a> reporter, \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

And they did.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/sup>had received twenty-four Silver Stars.<\/p>\n

More than 61,000 Puerto Ricans served in the Korean War, many with the\u00a065th\u00a0<\/sup>Infantry. By the war\u2019s end on July 27, 1953, over 3,500 Puerto Ricans were wounded in combat and 747 killed in action.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Corporal

Corporal Julio Guzman and Sergeant Major Lupercio Ortiz of the 65th Infantry depart Hungnam on December 24, 1950.(PC: Center for Puerto Rican Studies)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Postscript:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While in Korea, the men of the 65th\u00a0<\/sup>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.<\/p>\n

As one of the three Catholic chaplains attached to the Borinqueneers later told a Stars and Stripes<\/em> reporter, \u201cWe have the largest audience on the front lines.\u201d Described as \u201cdevoutly religious,\u201d 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, \u201cThey pray like angels and fight like demons.\u201d<\/p>\n

To all the men who served in the 65th\u00a0<\/sup>Infantry Regiment and proudly claim the title \u201cBorinqueneers,\u201d we salute you. You are not forgotten.<\/p>\n

The author would like to thank Noemi Figueroa, producer and director of the <\/i>film documentary<\/a> \u201cThe Borinqueneers,\u201d<\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/em>Jorge Mercado\u00a0<\/i>for their enthusiastic support and invaluable information on the Borinqueneers.<\/em><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"The-Borinqueneers-banner\"\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t

Top\/Feature picture<\/strong>:\u00a0Battle weary soldiers of the 65th<\/sup>Infantry North of the Han River, June 1951 (PC: US Army)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\t