R. Norman Moody 
Congressional Gold Medal Presentation Ceremony for veterans of the highly decorated 65th Infantry Regiment. Video by Tim Shortt. Posted 7/28/16
VIERA — A full crowd in the Brevard County Commission chamber stood and applauded, with some waving small Puerto Rican flags, as three veterans of the U.S. Army's 65th Infantry Regiment were honored Thursday with the nation's highest civilian award.
William Vila Velez, Juan Romero Silva and James Allan – who served with the heroic 65th Infantry Regiment, an all Puerto Rican unit that proved its courage and intrepid abilities at war and became known as the Borinqueneers – were presented with replicas of the Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony at the Brevard County Government Center in Viera.
"I take this medal in memory of our beloved platoon sergeant," Villa said as he received the medal from U.S. Rep. Bill Posey. "He was the first casualty we had in the Korean War. He went down like a hero. He made us men, we were 19 and 20 year-old kids. We were a family."
The three who were presented the Congressional Gold Medal on Thursday had been unable to attend the U.S. Capitol ceremony in April.
"It's very emotional," Posey said after the ceremony Thursday. "Your heart, at least for a while, is full. I'm honored and humbled that I had a part in making this happen."
Posey introduced the bill co-sponsored by Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi, who represents Puerto Rico in Congress, that led to the awarding of the medal. The 65th Infantry Regiment had been segregated from other units, but proved their bravery, courage and dedication.
Posey cited Rob Medina, his director of community and military relations, with the idea nearly four years ago.
Formed in 1899, the Borinqueneers faced harsh discrimination even as they were ordered to tackle some of the Army’s most dangerous assignments in both world wars, Korea and the Vietnam War. They were told they would have to shave their mustaches and not speak Spanish.
The 56th Infantry Regiment served in World War I, World War II and Korea. For their extraordinary service in the Korean War, the men of the regiment earned a Medal of Honor, nine Distinguished Service Crosses, about 250 Silver Stars, more than 600 Bronze Stars and more than 2,700 Purple Hearts. They were the last segregated Army unit and the last unit to conduct a battalion size bayonet charge.
"It was the adversary that made us the men we were," said Vila Velez, 86, of Palm Bay.
Romero, 94, of Palm Bay, said he was in college when he joined the Army during World War II.
"I went as a volunteer," he said.
Romero said he was traveling in France with his unit when he fell from a moving train. After being taken to a hospital he was reassigned to the 65th when superiors found out he was Puerto Rican.
"I did what I had to do," he said. "I was happy to be with the 65th."
Romero's thoughts turned to the casualties when he received the medal.
"It's good to get it, but it is no reward because there were so many lives lost," he said. "We were very united."
When the unit needed a chaplain, they called on James Allan, who said that in spite of the combat conditions and below freezing temperatures in Korea at the time, the men "were courageous and great hearted.
"They selflessly served and put their lives at risk to defend our country," he wrote. "I am proud to have served with them."
Allan, 100 of Indialantic, said he did not know about the unit before Korea.
"They were the outstanding infantry regiment in Korea," he said.
The ceremony included an Army color guard, participation of an Air Force chaplain and the national anthem sung by retired Lt. Col. Cynthia Watkins. It concluded with the popular and long favorite of Puerto Ricans, "En Mi Viejo San Juan," which was sung and played on the guitar by Angel Vasques.
Air Force Tech Sgt. Angel Ramos, who serves with the 45th Medical Group at Patrick Air Force Base, said he was proud of the Borinqueneers.
"They opened the doors for us," he said, "not only Puerto Ricans but for all Latinos. I am grateful for them."
Melbourne City Council member Teresa Lopez, who is of Puerto Rican heritage, said she was pleased the men were finally recognized.
"This medal is long overdue," she said. "This was a fantastic ceremony."
Two other Borinqueneers who attended but who had already received their medals were Anibal Albertorio, who spoke about the unit and thanked Posey and all involved for getting the medal approved by Congress, and Edwin Aviles, 86 of Kissimmee.
"Fighting in the name of the nation and Puerto Rico was the biggest honor," he said.
Contact Moody at 321-242-3651 or nmoody@floridatoday.com Follow him on Twitter @RNormanMoody and on Facebook at facebook.com/norman.moody.79
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