SFC Agustin Ramos-Calero (Ret.)

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Hdqrts & Hdqrts Co., WW2, 1950 (Deceased 1989)

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SFC Agustin Ramos Calero (Ret.)

SFC Agustin Ramos Calero “One-Man Army” 

Who was Agustin Ramos Calero? This Puerto Rican soldier, a native of Isabela, was known as the “One-Man Army” for receiving 22 decorations and medals from the U.S. Army for his heroics during World War II, becoming the most decorated Puerto Rican soldier of the island and the second most decorated in all of the United States during the World War II.

Agustin volunteered in 1941 where he was first assigned to the 65th Infantry Regiment and later served in other units. The fearless rifleman received the Silver Star, the third highest category of combat medals that the Army awards, for fighting against a squad of Nazis in Colmar, France in 1945 killing ten of them and capturing 21 shortly before being wounded himself.

During his brilliant military trajectory, he was also awarded 4 Purple Heart medals; a Presidential Citation as a member of a distinguished unit in combat; the European Theater of Operations medal with 4 representative stars for his participation in four campaigns; the Occupation of German Territory medal; the Victory Medal; the American Theater medal, and the Fourragere cord, granted by France to the Third Infantry Division of the U.S. where he was assigned, amongst other decorations. The Puerto Rican sergeant was wounded in combat on four occasions and served both in World War II and in the Korea War. Agustin Ramos Calero served 22 years in the Army and retired as Sergeant First Class in 1962. He died on February 10, 1989 at 69 years of age of terminal cancer and was buried in the National Cemetery in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. We must remember him and feel extremely proud of this national hero of Puerto Rico.

Charles E. Boyle who served as a captain in the Operations & Intelligence Section of 65th Regimental Headquarters from 1950-51 wrote in response to our request in the August 2005 issue inquiring if anyone knew what 65th unit SFC Agustin Ramos Calero had served in. Mr. Boyle wrote about Agustin: “In Korea , he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the regiment. He was personal assistant to Brigadier General (then Colonel) William W. Harris. I knew him well. He was modest, hard working and loyal.” Mr. Boyle now lives in Ireland . Thank you for clearing that up! 

August, 2005

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