IV

105TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 192

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

NOVEMBER 9, 1997

Ms. VELA ́ZQUEZ (for herself, Mr. GUTIERREZ, and Mr. SERRANO) 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 129 soldiers of the 65th Infantry Regiment were

awarded the Silver Star and 8 received the Distinguished

Service Cross for their heroism during the Korean conflict;
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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 on the night of February 13–14, 1951, 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 Regiment 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

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that—
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1 (1) the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of

2 Veterans Affairs should plan a special event jointly

3 hosted by them to commemorate the heroism of the

4 brave and gallant Puerto Ricans in the 65th Infan5 try Regiment of the United States Army who fought

6 in the Korean conflict and rescued the 1st Division

7 of the Marine Corps at Hugaru-ri and the 3d Infan8 try Division of the Army; and

9 (2) the American Battle Monuments Commis10 sion should provide a plaque of suitable design and

11 with appropriate inscriptions at the Korean War

12 Veterans Memorial to commemorate the 65th Infan13 try Regiment.

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