National Borinqueneers Day 2023: Date, History, Stars of Sixty-fifth Infantry Regiment

National Borinqueos Day is annually observed on April 13. The Borinqueos are also referred to as the “65th Infantry Regiment.” This day honours their contributions to the “U.S. Armed Forces” and highlights the number of Hispanic combatants and veterans. It is a time to remember the Puerto Rican soldiers who not only fought valiantly on the battlefield to defend the freedom of every American, but also fought against discrimination within their own ranks. Even as they sought inclusion and equality, the Borinqueneers represented hope for those willing to make sacrifices for a better future. As long as their valour is remembered, their sacrifices will not be in vain, and future generations of Puerto Ricans will be pleased of their legacy.

The background of National Borinqueneers Day

Since its inception in 1899, the 65th “Infantry Regiment” has served exclusively on the island of Puerto Rico. They were deemed unfit for combat and international deployment.

As a result of their culture, they were regarded as untrustworthy in battle, which prevented them from serving in combat. Only during the Korean War did the “U.S. Army” determine to use them as front-line combat troops as part of the 3rd Infantry Division from 1950 to 1953. Also known as ‘el sesenta y cinco de infanteria’ and its members as ‘Borinqueneers,’ it was composed of Puerto Rican soldiers alone. Borinqueneers is both the Spanish and English transliteration of Boriken, the indigenous Arawak or Taino name for Puerto Rico. The first three syllables are spoken in Spanish, while the final syllable is spoken in English.

Despite President Harry Truman’s 1948 signature of Executive Order 9981, which paved the way for desegregation of the armed forces, the 65th Infantry remained a segregated Puerto Rican unit. These soldiers endured racial discrimination, such as not being permitted to speak Spanish, having their rice and legume rations reduced, and being ordered to shave off their moustaches. This was demeaning to Puerto Rican men, as moustaches signify masculinity. In spite of these hardships, the Borinqueneers engaged in ferocious combat with North Korean and Chinese soldiers. Until it was deactivated on April 10, 1956, they continued to serve with distinction in key conflicts, paying with their lives and their honour until the unit was deactivated.

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5 Stars of the Sixty-Fifth Infantry Regiment

During the Korean War, he was given command of the 65th “Infantry Regiment” and ascended to become one of the highest-ranking ethnic officers in the “U.S. Army.”

On behalf of the United States, he ordered the firing of the first hostile shots of World War I against a German supply ship attempting to evacuate San Juan Bay.

He is the only Puerto Rican officer to have commanded an infantry battalion during the Korean War.

Two Silver Stars were bestowed to him within one week for operations he conducted on March 24 and March 31, 1951.

He was the first Puerto Rican officer in the Regular Army to command a regiment.

NATIONAL BORINQUENEERS DAY DATES

Year	Date	Day
2023	April 13	Thursday
2024	April 13	Saturday
2025	April 13	Sunday
2026	April 13	Monday
2027	April 13	Tuesday