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To whom it may concern:

My father. Fortunato Ortiz Ortiz participated during the Korean Conflict was part of the 65th INF from 1950-52.  He passed in 1998 and buried at the National Cemetery in Bayamon, PR. 

I am also, Retired 1SG and still working at Fort Jackson, SC as Army Civilian. Total time of service and working 43 years.

My father was an Indirect Fire Infantryman and wounded in action. He was buried alive in his mortar position due to the enemy’s heavy artillery. As he told me–it was during the monsoon season and the enemy artillery concussions softened the adjacent hill enough to produce a mud slide. Every one his squad died but one who alerted the others of the results and tragedy.

My father sustained internal broken-bones throughout his body. Was air-lifted to Japan where he spent over 8 months in recovery. He was sent to PR and I think was reassigned to a unit either Caguas or, Ponce.

If my memory suits me right? In 1983-84 the Pentagon changed the Purple Heart standards. Where unless a victim and/or casualty sustained an open wound by direct enemy aggression. I believed the reason my father did not get this award was because he  was not he did not suffered an open skin injury at the time. Or, his Commander and other leaders did not know enough to support his case.

In 1992, I was assigned at the University of Texas El Paso, Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and requested his discharge documents, DD214. I believe he got short change throughout the years. I saw my father suffered excruciating pains and other things like PTSD. At the time PTSD was not recognized as a mental problem. He spent few times at the VA hospital in PR due to other conditions related or secondary effects of this mental and physical conditions.

On July 12, 1973 the National Personnel Records Repository suffered a massive fire where records of Army and Air Force service members were destroyed and that included my fathers military records.

I am in the process to request another copy. The copy I received and cannot find now-a-days was poor written and ineligible.

BLUF (Bottom-Line-Up-Front), I respectfully appealing to you (all) to investigate and or request this award. My father’s rank at the time was PFC. Not sure why was so low in rank? But different times, different mind-set.

It may be too late for my father but It’s about to set the record straight even if this award is granted posthumously. My brothers, son, nephews, and me followed his foot steps to serve honorably in the Armed Forces to this date.

Respectfully

Fortunato Ortiz-Rivera

1SG Retired

I AM A VETERAN OF THE VIETNAM ERA I AM A PROUD VETERAN AS I WAS SOLDIER , HOW EVER IF I HAD BEEN A MEMBER OF THE BRORINQUENEERS I WOULD HAD MADE MY MARK IN THE SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY. TODAY I AM ASHAME HOW AMERICA AND THE VETERAN ADMINISTRATION TREATS US PUERTO RICANS

My father Felix Cardona Quiñones died on Thursday, June 21, 2018. He proudly received the gold medal the day of his 90th Birthday April 13, 2016. I am proud of his legacy of service and cordial attitude to his fellow citizens being very proud for being one of many puerto ricans who return to Puerto Rico and help improve our society by developing sports

My father, Hector L. Capella passed away on Valentines Day 02/14/18. He will be missed but know that he is at peace now. He risked his life for this country and was a proud Veteran and Borinqueneer. We made a tribute video of him and also of the Borinqueneers. It is good to know that this site will continue to honor the Borinqueneers and that my father’s photo is here. Thank you.

Saludos, Mi tio Raúl Rivera Rodríguez original del Bo Colombia en Mayaguez, perteneció a los Borinqueneers. Fue declarado MIA en la Guerra de Corea. Los familiares que le sobrevivimos apenas le conocimos, tan solo tenemos la foto oficial enmarcada que otorgó el ejército a mis abuelos. Si alguien tiene memorias, fotos, historias, etc. agradeceríamos lo comparta con nosotros.
Agradecida! puede dirigirse a biekepaz@aol.com Sol N. Vélez-Rivera

Are you still selling the The Borinqueneers DVD?

MI PADRE JUAN VILLANUEVA ALONSO PERTENECIO A LA 65 INFANTERIA Y SE ENCUENTRA SU FOTO EN LA GALERIA. EL FALLECIO. COMO PUEDO ADQUIRIR UNA REPLICA DE LA MEDALLA ? EL SE SENTIRIA MUY CONTENTO SI ESTUVIERA VIVO.

Yo soy hija de un Veterano disable retirado, Sfc Francisco Riestra-Lopez de la 65 Infantry. Mi padre fallecio en Diciembre 17, 2015. El estuvo en el ARMY por 20 a~os. Su retrato esta en la galleria. 

Gracias, 

Jeanet Riestra

MAJ Ceferino Declet, Sr. was my grandfather. He passed away last week and will be laid to rest, this Friday. He was assigned to Echo Company and served in Korea in 1951; received Bronze Star with Valor. I couldn’t imagine a better honor then if fellow BORINQUENEERS could attend his services.

If you’d like to attend and live in NJ/PA/NY:

28 Apr 16 – 1830 viewing GOES Funeral Home, Willingboro, NJ

29 Apr 16 – 0930 Catholic Mass; Corpus Christi church, Willingboro, NJ

Thank you to all who have served!!

I am the son of SGT. Rafael Rivera Garcia I will be accompanying him to DC for the Gold Medal I am extremely proud and its an honor that my father and many other Borinqueneers fought for this country may GOD bless them all and their families who have lost such brve men that gave it all .YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.