Congress honors Army's Borinqueneers with gold medal

WASHINGTON — Leaders of the House and Senate have awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the Army's 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Borinqueneers (bohr-ehn-kin-EERS').

The unit fought in World War I, World War II and the Korean War. The soldiers have earned numerous military awards, including a Medal of Honor, about 250 Silver Stars and more than 2,700 Purple Hearts.

The unit was first formed as Puerto Rican volunteers, and was redesignated as the 65th Infantry Regiment in 1920.

In a ceremony at the Capitol on Wednesday, House Speaker Paul Ryan and other leaders presented regiment members with the award.

Ryan said the members of the regiment "showed us time and time again that courage does not know color — that decency does not pick sides."

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