PUERTO RICANS IN THE U.S. MILITARY: THE HISTORY WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO EXPLAIN

It is RIDICULOUS that Puerto Ricans have been serving — and OVER-serving — in the U.S. military since 1899, and yet most Boricuas don’t even know our own military giants. How the hell is it that everybody knows Rambo, a fictional white dude stitched together by Hollywood… but barely ANY Boricua knows the REAL Puerto Rican Rambo — SFC Jorge Otero Barreto — the man who actually did the impossible?

A soldier who didn’t just survive a failed war… He excelled in it. He out-performed damn near everybody. He ran 200 COMBAT MISSIONS, FIVE TOURS, and pulled off acts of valor so intense they sound like movie scripts.

And yet? Crickets. Silence. Forgotten. This is why this article exists — because our own people aren’t being taught our OWN heroes. BORICUAS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR THE U.S. FROM THE BEGINNING — AND FIGHTING HARDER THAN EXPECTED. Since 1899 Puerto Ricans started serving immediately after the Spanish-American War. We didn’t ease into service — we jumped into it head-first.

WORLD WAR I: Over 18,000 Puerto Ricans served, many drafted, many volunteering. Still barely mentioned in history books.

WORLD WAR II: A staggering 65,000 Boricuas served — including the legendary 65th Infantry Regiment, the Borinqueneers. They fought Nazis abroad while dealing with discrimination at home.

KOREAN WAR: THIS is where the Borinqueneers went full legendary.

While the Army doubted them, they proved themselves over and over — earning the Congressional Gold Medal, decades after the fact, because the U.S. took way too long to admit the truth.

THE BORINQUENEERS: HEROES THAT AMERICA UNDERVALUED — AND BORICUAS UNDERLEARNED

The 65th Infantry Regiment fought in THREE WARS. They endured segregation, insults, crappy assignments, and racist leadership…and STILL fought like warriors. The fact that some people don’t know who they are? That’s an insult in itself.

THE TWO PUERTO RICAN LEGENDS THEY NEVER TELL YOU ABOUT

SFC Agustín Ramos Calero – “THE ONE-MAN ARMY”
The most decorated Puerto Rican of World War II, with 22 medals, a Silver Star, and FOUR Purple Hearts. One man caused so much chaos in German lines that they literally labeled him a menace. Here is an outstanding Boricua. A soldier. Forgotten by too many.

SFC Jorge Otero Barreto – “EL RAMBO BORICUA”
Now THIS is where the anger really kicks in. Jorge Otero Barreto has been called: “The most decorated Puerto Rican soldier ever.” “The most decorated soldier of the Vietnam War.” “One of the greatest warriors the U.S. has ever had.”

And STILL — STILL — most Boricuas don’t know his name. How do you NOT know of the man, the legend who:

-Ran 200 combat missions
-Earned 38 decorations
-Survived FIVE TOURS in Vietnam
-Outperformed almost EVERYBODY in one of the most catastrophic wars America ever fought?

How is this NOT in every AmeRican classroom?! How is this NOT common knowledge in every household? Movies should’ve been made about him. Textbooks should’ve highlighted him. We should’ve grown up hearing his story the way kids hear about superheroes. Instead… here I am of all people. In 2025. Because our history is being buried. Just like the Tainos. SFC J. Otero Barreto passed away earlier this week on October 14, 2024, and too many people learned his name AFTER he died. A damn shame.

MODERN BORICUA SERVICE: STILL SHOWING UP, STILL REPRESENTING

By way of one Sgt. 1st Class Leonardo Trinidad
A modern-day soldier putting in WORK in the U.S. Army Reserve as a master driver and trainer. He may not have the medals of El Rambo Boricua — almost no human does —So while Sgt. Trinidad pales in comparison, we regulars can't hold a candle to Sgt. Trinidad!

AND OUR WOMEN? FEROCIOUS DOESN’T EVEN COVER IT Here’s the short, punch-you-in-the-face version of their achievements:

World War II & Earlier

Carmen Contreras-Bozak: First Hispanic woman in the WAC, serving in North Africa under combat.
Maria Rodriguez Denton: First Puerto Rican woman officer in the U.S. Navy.
Crescencia “Joyce” Garcia: Member of the 6888th, the only all-women, all-Black battalion overseas.
Carmen Lozano Dumler: One of the first Puerto Rican women Army officers, serving with the 65th.
Carmen Vazquez Rivera: Chief nurse at Fort Brooke, later an Air Force officer in Korea.
Carmen Garcia Rosado: Among the first Puerto Rican WACs and later an activist for women vets.

Fast Forward to Modern Era:

Brig. Gen. Irene Zoppi: First Puerto Rican woman to reach general in the Army Reserve.
Brig. Gen. Aida Borrás: Senior Army Reserve intelligence leader and Hall of Fame inductee.
Lt. Col. Rosa Rodriguez: One of the first women to command a unit at Fort Buchanan*.
Col. Maritza Sáenz Ryan: First Latina to run the Department of Law at West Point.
Capt. Haydee Javier Kimmich: One of the highest-ranking Hispanic women in Navy history.
Lt. Col. Olga Custodio: First Hispanic woman to fly for the U.S. Air Force.

*FORT BUCHANAN — THE HEART OF THE CARIBBEAN’S MILITARY PRESENCE
Fort Buchanan is the only active U.S. Army installation in the entire Greater Antilles, right in the San Juan area. This base alone shows how deeply Puerto Rico has been tied to the U.S. military machine.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

-Puerto Ricans have: Served since 1899
-Fought in every major war
-Been some of the most decorated soldiers in U.S. history
-Produced heroes that outperformed entire battalions

And STILL… we have to EXPLAIN IT? We have to teach our own people about our OWN heroes. Unacceptable Because the truth is BORICUAS get it done. And we always have in despite the odds PASS IT ON!