Official Publication of Ch. 173 Mid-FI Korean War Veterans Assoc. (KWV A) Vol. 15, August 2011 - P.O. Box 160505, Altamonte Springs, FL 32716-0505 Saluting the Borinqueneers on the 58 th Anniversary of the Korean War Ceasefire See story inside
1
Debra Smith, President of Central Florida
Gold
Star Mothers;
Seabees Assn.
Commander, Mike Gentz; Lu Vecker,
U.S.Navy veteran of WWII, Korea, and
Vietnam; and the Borinqueneers:
Anibal Albertrio EdwinAviles Epifano Agosto Andres Medina Ingrai 1Morales h
On occasion 0 the 51t Anniversary
ofthe Korean War Cease Ire
Borinqueneers honored at
Vietnam Bunker
The Borinqueneers, members of the
famed 65 111 Infantry Regiment, Chapter 173
members, and honored guests were on hand
at the Vietnam Bunker, site of the La~
Smedley National Vietnam War Memonal,
111
July 27, to observe the 58 anniversary of
the Korean War Ceasefire.
Left to riglrt are: Albertrio, Aviles, Agosto, anil
Medina.
Each of the Borinqueneers, including
Luis Roman the son of a Borinqueneer, was
'111
3rd
presented with the 65 Infantry crest and
Division shoulder patch .
•••
Hosted by Chapter 173 KWVA, it
was a momentous occasion, and one well
111
deserved for recognition of the 65 Infantry
that fought valiantly in Korea in the face of
some controversy.
The speaker of the day was Bill
Russell, the morning calm editor and chapter
secretary who spoke of the history and
th
specific exploits of the 65 in the Korean
War. Excerpts of his remarks are contained
further in this issue.
Guests included Rob Medina,
representing Congressman Bill Posey (Fl.
Dis. 15); Don Pardue,
representing
Congresswoman Sandy Adams (FL Dis. 24);
U.S. Navy Commander Seth Abbot, Naval
Air Station, Jacksonville; Luis Roman,
Altamonte Springs, son of a Borinqueneer;
Tour of the Bunker reflects
memories of Vietnam
To Korean War veterans who also
served in Vietnam, a tour of the Bunker and
its accompanying artifacts brought back
memories of their service in Vietnam.
On display at the museum, named
after Cpt. Larry Smedley, a Medal of Honor
recipient, are all sorts of equipment used in
the Vietnam War, from the A4 Skyhawk to
the lowly Jeep.
To Korean War vets, the replica of a
typical Vietnam bunker is not too dissimil ar
to those that were stretched across the width
and breath of Korea during those last two
costly years of the so-called stalemate.
2
Tile M Orllin CalmAu ust 2011
More pictorials by Photographer Michelle
Morgan who lensed the following shots on
her tour ofthe grounds:
THESTORYOFTHE65~
INFANT R Y R EGIMENT AND
ITS R OLE IN H ISTO R Y
By Bill ••••• 11
(UpOII request from several Borinquelleers at the
58'" evellt, the followillg are my remarks at that
evellt - B. R.)
The history of this famed unit goes back
to 1898 when it was fonned as a battalion and
by 1899 it was nearly fully staffed.
In 1900 it was increased fi'om battalion
to regimental strength and called the "Porto Rico
Regiment ofYolunteer Infantry."
During WW I the regiment was moved
to the Panama Canal to guard the Canal Zone
but the unit did not go to Europe. It does have
the distinction of having fired the first shot of
World War 1. It happened like this:
First shot of World Wa r I
fired at German ship
During this period units were stationed
at variou' forts throughout the island. One was
located at EI Mora Castle at San Juan Bay. A
lieutenant named Marxuach was the officer of
the day on March 2] 1915 when the German
anned supply ship, the OddenwaJd, tried to force
its way out of the bay and deliver supplies to
Gelman subs waiting in the Atlantic Ocean.
The lieutenant gave the order to open
fire on the ship from the walls of the fort .
Sergeant Encarnacion Correa then maned a
machine gun and fired warning shots at the ship
with little effect. Marxuach then fired a cannon
shot at the ship in what is considered the first
shot of World War I fired by the regular armed
forces of the United States against any ship
flying the colors of the German Empire. The
Odenwald was forced to stop and return to the
port where its supplies were confiscated.
During World War n the unit was
shipped to North Africa for training and security
missions and in December 1944, the>
3
Chaplain's Reflection
65 th was conunitted to action in the Maritimes
Alps where the 3 rd Battalion defeated Germany'.s
h
34th Regiment of the 10i Division. The umt
returned to its base in Nov. 1945.
Five Years Later - Korea!
On August 26, 1950 the 65th departed
from Puerto Rico and arrived at Pusan on
September 23. It was during the long sea voyage
that the men of the unit nicknamed the 65th the
"Borinqueneers," The name is a combination of
the words "Borinquen" which is what the Tainos
called the island before the ani val of the
Spaniards and Buccaneers.
The men of the 65 th , now attached to the
Anny's 3'd Infantry Division, met the enemy on
the battlefields of Korea. After November 1950
they fought daily against units of the Chinese
Communist Force (CCF), following their entry
into the war.
One of the hardships suffered by the
Puerto Ricans was the lack of wann clothing
during the cold and harsh winters, The enemy
made many attempts to encircle the regiment,
but each time they failed because of the many
casualties inflicted by the 65 th •
Supported Ma rines at
Cbosin Reservoir
In December 1950, the regiment was
part of a task force that enabled the U.S. Marines
to withdraw fi-om the Chosin Reservoir when the
Mru;nes became encircled by the Chinese, U.S.
forces close to the Manchurian border were
ordered to fall back and work their way down to
the port of Hungnam, The men of the 65th were
rushed to their defense and ordered to stay
behind and fight the enemy. As a result, the
Marines were able to return safely to their ships.
The Borinqueneers held the rear guard,
along with an U.S . Army annored field artilIery
unit and were the last unit to embark from
Hungna m,
The 65 th was later awarded the Navy and
Marine Corps Conunendarion Medal for this
action, (End of Part One; Part Two will continue
Adding to a wondefjitl day at the Bunker, J was
slllprised to be given a poem that was jound on the
body ofa i9-year-old soldier in Vietnam,
compliments qfMichael Gentz, First Vice
Commander island X4 Seabees ojOrlando, given to
him by his dad.
A SOLDIER AND HIS GOD.
Look, God - I have never spoken to
You, but now -1 want to say: "How do You
do?" You see, God, they told me You ctidn't
exist and like a fool I believed all of this. Last
night from a shell-hole I saw Your sky - I
figured right then they had told me a lie. Had I
taken the time to see the things You made, I'd
know they weren't calling a spade a spade.
I wonder, God, if you'd shake my hand.
Somehow, I feel that You will understand,
Funny, I had to come to this hellish place,
before I had time to see Your face. Well, I guess
there isn't much m re to say, but I'm sure glad,
God, 1 met you today, 1 guess the zero hour will
soon be here, but I am not afraid since I kn0w
You are bere. The signal - well, God, 1 have to
go, I like You lots· this I want You to know.
Looks like this will be a honible fight Who
knows - I may come to YOW' house tonight.
Though I wasn't friendly with You before, I
wonder, God - if You'd wait at YoW' door.
Look - I run clying, me shedcting tears, I
wish I'd known You these many years. Well, I
have to go now. God - goodbye, strange - since I
met you - l'm not afraid to die. OW' thanks to
Ivuchael, who served in Vietnam 1966-67-68,
for his service, God is good, He is Love, He
is always waiting to hear from us,
-Tom ClIllerton+Chapiain, KWVA Chapter 173
***
Note: Please advise Chaplain Tom ofany chapter or
family member sick or incapacitated so that we may
offer prayer/iii support. In the meantime, prayers go
alit to Frank Vaught, Grady Reichard, Bob Balzer,
Vic Haas,
Bob tvJcNatt., Marian Roberts, Bob
Mal/tino, Jack Ali1/er, and Boh Crossman.
next issue)
***
4
SO PLEASE when asked to help say " YES". If
we can't get this light then I and the rest of the
Board don't know what else we can do to make
this Chapter stay afloat.
As you know we are planning a lot of other
things for October, November, and December.
But we can no longer do it without everyone
help. I am truly sorry for sounding like the bad
guy but I think it's time for everyone to know
what is happening with this Chapter.
I hope all had a great sununer and look
forward to seeing everyone next month.
Yours in Comradeship,
Chuck Trm'ers, Commander
Chuck Travers
Commander
Speaks
It has been a very busy swnmer. We have
done a lot of things and the Board has worked
on things to try and make our Chapter keep
leading the rest of the DoF Chapters wanting to
be like us. I feel like the Board is doing
evelything it can to keep our Chapter nwnber
ONE (1). We now look forward to everyone of
you to step up to the plate and help us keep it
that way. Your Board is getting tired of doing
all the work and not getting any help from the
members. It is time to step up when asked and
help. I am sorry for sounding off like this but
the rest of the board is starting to feel like "Why
should we do all the work?"
We need
evelyone's help! If this ('hapter wants to stay
"Active" and not fall to the wayside then
everyone needs to pitch in.
Starting next month we start up our General
Membership Meetings again. I would like more
of you members come out and enjoy the
Conu"adeship . That is the reason you joined in
the first place. You didn't want the public to
forget what you guys did during that time
period.
We have a Poker Run on September 241h
(Saturday). We need members to sit at different
stops and as the bikers come in they pick up two
cards and then to the next stop and do the same
thing. After the bikers leave the location you
pack up and bring everything back to
Casselberry Veterans Club and tum it in, then
enjoy the rest of the day with us. It is a money
making event and there is a lot that can be made
for our Chapter. The Caretakers are going to be
with us all the way and help out. TIley are not
asking for anything in retulll . They are doing
this to see uS succeed. They will be at each stop
with us and help us out.
The Ceasefire
***
LEST WE FORGET
Although much recognition was given to
recognizing The Borinqueneers and their
contribution to the war, and rightfully so,
and the fact that the event was held in
Vietnam territory and graciously hosted by
Vietnam Veterans of Central Florida, we
can't fo rget that the day was officially set
lh
aside in recognition of the 58 Annlversary
oftbe Korean War Ceasefire.
Gen. ~lark Clarke siglling the docllment
We all thought and hoped that the
momentous occasion would herald the end
of the shooting (and it did for a while), but
hostility would continue in perhaps a lesser
fonn, but nevertheless continue makjng the
Korean War the United States' longest war
on record. And we must not forget that.
Ti,e MOrllin Caillulli list 2011
5
Di-=-ectQ.r~ 8J Offi~~r~ .O~ ~
AUTO
R8dI.1of 1\" CondlbOIJlnlJ & an>, SI
"w. "'"ka Hot c.t1I
I III' Slht
Commander Charles "Chuck" Travers 407252-7447 [email protected]
1st Vice Commander
Cathy Alessandri
[email protected] 407277-4775 2nd Vice Commander Timothy "Tim" McKenna [email protected]:.MU Secretary & Newsletter Ed. Bill Russell 407260-1540 billri ler29@em arqm it com Treasurer Robert "Bob" Johnson 407695-2648 D61
Cool"
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+++++++++++++ Sept 15 tJ• MID FLA KWVA 173 Membership Meeting at
VFW 2093, at 4 444 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, 11 AM.
SEPTEMBER 24TH POKER RUN starts with 7:30 AM
Breakfast; Registr ation 8:30 AM, Blessing o/the bikes
IN MEMORY OF 13 CHAPLAINS KILLED IN ACTION (KIA) OR DIED IN NORTH KOREAN PRISION ER OF WAR CAMPS at 9:30 AM, and first Bike out at 9:40 AM. TV Raffle
Ticket Drawing at approximately 4 :30 P.M.
Tom Camp bell, 6/2012
6
OFFICIAL MAILING ADDRESS FOR: MID FLORIDA KOREAN WA R VETERANS is:
CHAPTER # 173, Charles "Chuck" Travers, (;rymmander, PO Box 160505, Altamonte Springs FL 32716-0505, Phone 407252-7447 (home) gunshi [email protected] or [email protected] om 1.
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~
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Dedicated to Rangers, Past, Present and Future (Exp 12/ 2012) Vic Haas, USAF (Retired) 20 th Air Force (Exp
1/12) R. D. "Jack" Miller, 187 th Airborne Regimental Combat Team Korea, 5th Special Forces Group Vietnam, 11th Airborne Division, 82 nd Airborne Division Association} (Exp 11/2 011)
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Let me list for you and my Finders FEE goes to KWVA Chapter 173 I~
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fJ \..:I t."f'.lIh
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2ND BN 19TH REGT 24TH INF DIV KOREA
JULY 261950 - MARCH 20, 1951
I
Charles R Travers, President KWVA Ch 173 POBOX 160505
Altamonte Springs FL
32716-0505
T J THEil., CHAPTER 169
KWV A MID FLA CH 173 COMP KWV A INC : COMP
19147 PARK PL BLVD
EUSTIS FL 32726-7262
.' t" 11 ••• 1,II., r i ,•II, ,J J" I,. ,I,t 1,1 r II", ,Ir 1,',,/1 ,r • i11.1 JI
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Signature / _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Dat e: _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2011
Make Check Payable to MID FLA CH 173 KWVA INC. and mail to: Robert D Johnson, Treasurer, 504 Dew Drop Cove, Casselberry FL 32707-4804