Men of the 65th: The Borinqueneers of the Korean War

by Talia Aikens-Nuñez

Overview

Honor and Fidelity. That is the motto of the 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Borinqueneers, the only Puerto Rican unit in the United States Army.

Since the regiment’s creation in 1899, the men of the 65th have proudly served the US through multiple wars, despite facing racial discrimination. Their courage, loyalty, and patriotism earned them hundreds of accolades, including the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014.

But the honor and fidelity of the men of the 65th came into question in 1952, in the midst of the Korean War, when ninety-one Borinqueneers were arrested and tried for desertion and disobeying orders. How could this happen in one of the most distinguished and decorated units of the Army?

In this telling of one of the forgotten stories of the Korean War, author Talia Aikens-Nuñez guides us through the history of the Borinqueneers and the challenges they faced leading up to what was the largest court martial in the entire war. Rediscover the bravery of the men of the 65th through Aikens-Nuñez’s thorough writing and the soldiers’ firsthand accounts of the Korean War.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781728479149
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	05/02/2023
Pages:	136
Sales rank:	422,756
Product dimensions:	6.25(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)
Age Range:	11 - 12 Years

About the Author

Talia Aikens-Nuñez is passionate about sharing with young readers the little known stories, accomplishments, and contributions of people of color from all throughout history. Aikens-Nuñez is the author of Small Nap, Little Dream, a bilingual Spanish/English picture book. She and her husband live on a river in Connecticut with their two children.

Editorial Reviews

03/20/2023

In a striking telling, Aikens-Nuñez (Small Nap, Little Dream) chronicles the formation, accomplishments, court-martial, and legacy of the Army’s 65th Infantry Regiment, the only Puerto Rican unit in U.S. Army history. Via accessible and animated-feeling text, Aikens-Nuñez details Congress’s 1899 establishment of the 65th—known as the Borinqueneers—which was the “biggest, longest-standing Latino military unit in US history.” In a foreword, retired U.S. Army colonel Gilberto Villahermosa describes the 65th as one of only four units to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, while subsequent brief, propulsive chapters outline how the unit would eventually serve in both world wars and the Korean War. Despite the Borinqueneers’ acumen, they still endured prejudiced treatment from fellow troops, who believed that “Puerto Ricans could never be good soldiers.” In penultimate chapter “Courts-Martial,” the author explains how 92 Borinqueneers were found guilty in November 1952 for refusing to fight following the unit’s near-massacre in a strategic battle, a crime for which none of the continental U.S. soldiers involved were tried. An important read about an often forgotten piece of U.S. military history that celebrates its subject by forefronting their bravery in overcoming obstacles both foreign and domestic. Ages 11–up. (May)

Publishers Weekly

"An excellent choice for those interested in military or Puerto Rican history; a great pick for U.S. history courses or research."—starred, School Library Journal

From the Publisher

★ 05/01/2023

Gr 7 Up—Aikens-Nuñez shines a light on "a forgotten story in a forgotten war" about the most decorated regiments in the history of the U.S. military. The Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment was first established in 1899. Until the Korean War, these soldiers could not hold combat roles due to racial prejudice. In 1950, they were called on to fight in the Korean War, when they were nicknamed the Borinqueneers. Aikens-Nuñez relates the extraordinary feats of the Puerto Rican soldiers with admiration and awe. She presents a well-researched account of how they endured segregation and neglect, but still fought, often without resources or reinforcements. After an especially disastrous massacre, with low morale and the disdain of their commanding officers, what remained of the 65th refused to fight, resulting in the largest court martial of the Korean War. Because of outside pressures, the 91 men were eventually granted clemency. In 2014, they were presented with the Congressional Gold Medal. The narrative is sometimes dry, but teens will be pulled in by the compelling stories of the soldiers' courage as they fought for a country that didn't always deserve it. The text is peppered with sidebars providing context for military terms, the history of the relationship between the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and Puerto Rican culture. Quotes as chapter openers, archival photos, maps, pull quotes, and charts break up the prose. Back matter includes a time line, glossary, source notes, selected biography, further reading, and index. VERDICT An excellent choice for those interested in military or Puerto Rican history; a great pick for U.S. history courses or research.—Shelley M. Diaz

School Library Journal

2023-02-25
The heroism of the U.S. Army’s first segregated Latino regiment is explored in rich detail.

After Puerto Rico became a territory of the United States in 1899, the Puerto Rican Battalion of Volunteer Infantry was formed. Two name changes later, they became the 65th Infantry Regiment. Despite participating in both world wars, they were regarded as inferior to White soldiers and relegated to noncombat duties until the Korean War. Also known as the Borinqueneers, they included both Black and White soldiers and became the pride of Puerto Rico, impressing their commanding officers with their teamwork, efficiency, and bravery. A dangerous assault on Hill 391, an exposed outpost in Korea, resulted in numerous casualties. Many soldiers from both the 65th Infantry Regiment and the 15th Infantry Division, who relieved them, refused to return to this blood bath; only Puerto Rican soldiers, however, were later court-martialed, reflecting the double standards with which they were treated. Survivors fought for decades to clear their names, and the regiment was finally awarded a Congressional Gold Medal by President Barack Obama in 2014. Their long-overlooked story is told in a riveting narrative style enhanced by maps, historical photographs, and eyewitness quotes. Detailed descriptions of Korean War battles set the backdrop for their heroism and triumph over adversity. The author also explores the broader context of Puerto Rico’s multiracial society and military racism.

Powerful stories from the battlefield illuminate courage and struggles for recognition. (timeline, glossary, source notes, bibliography, further information, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews