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- The First Puerto Rican Volunteer Battalion in 1899 which eventually became the Borniqueneers in the 1920’s.
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- The six Angueira Brothers who served with the 65th Infantry during WWII.
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- Patch of the 65th Infantry
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- PBS Anchor Steve Adubato (right) held a question and answer session with veterans of the 65th Infantry and Gilberto Villahermosa, Colonel U.S. Army (Retired).
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- Freeholders Blanquita Valenti (left) and Ron Rios (right) give producer Noemi Figueroa Soulet a proclamation.
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- Veterans who served in the 65th Regiment are pictured with Producer, Noemi Figueroa Soulet and Mayor Diaz.
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- Sen. Joe Viatale, Asm. Craig Coughlin, Attorney Ron Spevak with Borniqueneer from Perth Amboy, Ervin Machado (2nd R) and Councilman Kenneth Gonzalez.
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- The Borinqueneers pose for a photo.
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- At Terrazza Restaurant Politicians, community leaders and producer Noemi Soulet praised the Borniqueneers and urged passage of the Bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Veterans of the 65th Regiment.
PERTH AMBOY – The documentary depicted the heroics of the Borinqueneers who served in the only all Hispanic segregated unit in U.S. Army history. The documentary honors the Veterans who served in the 65th regiment during the Korean War.
The documentary depicts the how this regiment was mistreated while serving in the U.S. Army, but in spite of this they persevered. It also honors those who recognized the accomplishments of the 65th Regiment and attempted to right those wrongs.
The 65th Regiment was so disciplined that when the army pitted them against their best units during a training session, the 65th Regiment made the army’s best look like monkeys. (According to one of the participants in the film)
Some of the members of the 65th Regiment were unjustly court-martialed during one of the Korean War Missions. The sentences ranged from six months to 18 years. Fortunately, these sentences were overturned for the most part and they were released for time served (six months).
Under unbearable conditions and in spite of being discriminated against, the Borinqueneers were proud to fight as Americans although they did not have the right to vote in the U.S. elections at the time.
Many of the heroic acts they performed would have automatically made them eligible to receive the highest military honors if they were not Hispanic.
There are currently petitions available for the 65th Infantry Regiment Veterans to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. The House of Representatives Bill is No. 1726 and the Senate Bill is No. 1174. Time is of the essence. For more information contact your local Representatives.
The unit was involved in nine major campaigns. They received 10 Distinguished Service Crosses, over 250 Silver Stars, over 620 Bronze Stars and over 2700 Purple Hearts.
Steve Adubato said that, “We are filming the Perth Amboy screening to be shown on a follow-up show on PBS.”
