| |
|
|
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 480
|
|
|
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pleasure in |
|
|
recognizing the 65th Infantry Regiment for its service and |
|
|
sacrifices in defense of the United States of America during |
|
|
wartime; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, This distinctive military unit hailed from Puerto |
|
|
Rico and its members were known as the Borinqueneers; the unit |
|
|
was founded in 1899 and remained a vital part of the United States |
|
|
armed forces until 1956, when the regiment was inactivated; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Known for their fierce fighting spirit, members |
|
|
of the 65th Infantry Regiment served in multiple conflicts; |
|
|
during World War I and in 1943, the Borinqueneers were sent to |
|
|
guard the Panama Canal; in 1944, they were deployed to North |
|
|
Africa, Italy, Corsica, France, and the Maritime Alps, where they |
|
|
engaged in their first combat and suffered 47 casualties; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In Korea, the regiment saw its finest, and |
|
|
gravest, hour; facing off against Chinese soldiers, they fought |
|
|
to hold open the retreat route from the Chosin Reservoir, and on |
|
|
February 2, 1951, two battalions of Borinqueneers took part in |
|
|
the last battalion bayonet charge in United States Army history; |
|
|
Puerto Rican soldiers also defended a recuperating United States |
|
|
Army division from infiltrating North Korean soldiers; by the |
|
|
time the regiment was inactivated, more than 750 Borinqueneers |
|
|
had died and 2,400 had been wounded in the Korean War alone; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In 1959, the regiment was allotted to the Puerto |
|
|
Rico Army National Guard, where the 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry |
|
|
still serves; while defending the United States, these brave |
|
|
soldiers earned 628 Bronze Stars, 258 Silver Stars, 10 |
|
|
Distinguished Service Crosses, and more than 2,700 Purple |
|
|
Hearts; their commitment and courage are indeed deserving of this |
|
|
country's praise and gratitude; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd |
|
|
Legislature, hereby commend the 65th Infantry Regiment for its |
|
|
outstanding dedication and service to the United States armed |
|
|
forces; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
|
|
the regiment as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. |
| |
|
|
Van de Putte |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
|
President of the Senate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I hereby certify that the |
|
|
|
above Resolution was adopted by |
|
|
|
the Senate on March 19, 2013. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
|
Secretary of the Senate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
|
Member, Texas Senate |