IV

104TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 159

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the heroism of the brave and

gallant Puerto Ricans in the 65th Infantry Regiment of the United

States Army who fought in the Korean conflict should be commemorated.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MARCH 29, 1996

Ms. VELA ́ZQUEZ (for herself, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mrs. KENNELLY, Mr. KENNEDY of Massachusetts, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. MENENDEZ, Ms. ROYBALALLARD, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, and Mr. UNDERWOOD) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on

Veterans’ Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on National Security,

for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case

for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the

committee concerned

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the heroism of

the brave and gallant Puerto Ricans in the 65th Infantry

Regiment of the United States Army who fought in

the Korean conflict should be commemorated.

Whereas the Puerto Rican soldiers of the 65th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army unselfishly fought, bled,

and died for the rights and privileges of all citizens of the

United States and the Republic of Korea;

Whereas 125 soldiers of the 65th Infantry Regiment were

awarded the Silver Cross and 4 received the Distin-
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•HCON 159 IH

guished Service Cross for their heroism during the Korean conflict;

Whereas the 65th Infantry Regiment went to the rescue of

the 1st Division of the United States Marine Corps in

Hagaru-ri when that division was surrounded by forces of

the People’s Republic of China, provided a safe corridor

through which the Marines escaped, and formed a protective rear guard during the retreat to Hungnam;

Whereas, after bitter fighting and with the forces of the People’s Republic of China on their heels, the 65th Infantry

Regiment was the last regiment to leave the beachhead

in the Christmas eve evacuation of Hungnam on December 24, 1950;

Whereas one night, while the 65th Infantry Regiment was encamped near the command post of the 3d Infantry Division of the United States Army during a rest and recreation leave away from the front lines, the command post

of the 3d Infantry Division was attacked by over 1,000

North Korean soldiers who had infiltrated through the

front lines without being detected and the 65th Infantry

Regiment rallied, attacked, and subsequently destroyed

the North Korean force, thereby saving the commanding

officer and staff of the 3d Infantry Division from death

or capture; and

Whereas the soldiers of the 65th Infantry Division were

showered with many accolades for their heroism in battle,

the most famous and important of which came in the

form of a letter from the commander of the United Nations forces in Korea, General of the Army Douglas MacArthur: Now, therefore, be it
3

•HCON 159 IH

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that—

3 (1) the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of

4 Veterans Affairs should plan a special event jointly

5 hosted by them to commemorate the heroism of the

6 brave and gallant Puerto Ricans in the 65th Infan7 try Regiment of the United States Army who fought

8 in the Korean conflict and rescued the 1st Marine

9 Division at Hugaru-ri and the 3d Army Infantry Di10 vision; and

11 (2) the American Battle Monuments Commis12 sion should provide a plaque of suitable design and

13 with appropriate inscriptions at the Korean War

14 Veterans Memorial to commemorate the 65th Infan15 try Regiment.

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