Two Connecticut Army veterans are in Washington D.C. on Wednesday as their all Puerto Rican unit, the 65th Infantry Regiment, known as the Borinqueneers, are awarded the Congressional Gold Medal -- the highest honor Congress can award to civilians.
Connecticut Borinqueneers Celestino Cordova and Jose Pickard will be in attendance Wednesday afternoon.
The segregated Hispanic military unit composed almost entirely of soldiers from Puerto Rico, played a prominent role in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.
The infantry unit became known for their valor in battles fought during the Korean War and the support they gave the U.S. Marines after the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.
In 2013, Cordova, 80 years old at the time, told WNPR in an interview that he was one of the 61,000 Puerto Ricans who served in Korea. He talked warmly of his service in 1951, including being chosen as one of the first Hispanics to become an Army Ranger.
"I was proud to serve in the U.S. Army defending the country," Cordova said. "It was easy to go and fight. I felt happy to be there."
While they were praised for their courage, others called them “rum and coke” soldiers.
President Obama signed a bi-partisan, bi-cameral bill into law in 2014 that formally recognized the Borinqueneers for their service.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal introduced the bill in the Senate as a companion to House legislation by Florida Congressman Bill Posey and Puerto Rico’s representative, Pedro Pierluisi. Blumenthal was scheduled to give remarks at Wednesday's ceremony.
The Congressional Gold Medal has also been bestowed on other segregated units in the U.S. military, including the Tuskegee Airmen and the Montford Point Marines.
