Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony
Colonel Siverio receives a well deserved standing ovation after delivering his remarks at the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony.
Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony
Honoring the 65th Infantry Regiment, the "Borinqueneers"
On May 22, 2014, Congress passed legislation authorizing the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th Infantry Regiment. The President signed the bill on June 10, 2014.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor the United States Congress can bestow and the Borinqueneers is the first unit of the Korean War to receive
such recognition.
The medal was awarded to the Borinqueneers for service in the Korean War, for their pioneering military service, devotion to duty and their many acts of valor.
Colonel Manuel F. Siverio was asked to represent all former members of the Regiment in a ceremony held the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
On April 13, 2016, Colonel Siverio had the singular honor of accepting the Congressional Gold Medal presented by Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Honorable Paul Ryan. Over 200 Borinqueneers, attended the ceremony.
Colonel Siverio was a member of the 65th Infantry Regiment, called Borinqueneers, as Company Commander of Company E when the Regiment was on the front lines in South Korea in 1951 so, of course, he was honored to be asked to accept the Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of his old unit.
After remarks by Congressional leaders and the Secretary of the Army, Sergeant Major José E. Colón, and Colonel Manuel F. Siverio received the Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of the 65th Infantry Regiment from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Honorable Paul D. Ryan.
In accepting the award, Colonel Siverio delivered the following remarks:
“Honorable members of Congress, Fellow Borinqueneers, Friends:
Thank you for the honor of allowing me to join this assembly of distinguished members of Congress to represent the 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as Borinqueneers, of which I was part.
On behalf of the men who were members of the Regiment, it is a distinct privilege for me to receive this highly prestigious award, the Congressional Gold Medal. It is a well-deserved tribute to the brave men that fought many battles in Korea; those who survived as well as those who lost their lives in combat. Their devotion to duty, and many acts of valor against the enemy, demonstrated their skills and their loyalty to the United States of America.
General William D. Harris, a former Commander of the 65th Infantry in combat, in the early part of the Korean expressed it best when he said: “No group has greater pride in itself and its heritage than the Puerto Rican people. Nor have I encountered any that can be more dedicated in support of the democratic principles for which the United States stands.”
I accept this medal in the name of all living Borinqueneers, the families of those who lost their loved ones, and the families of over one hundred missing in action, and whose remains have not been recovered. Thank you again for remembering us, the men of the 65th Infantry Regiment, for our dedicated effort and our extreme sacrifice in many cases, in battles against the enemy. God bless you!”
Congressional Gold Medal Certificate of Award
Invitation to the Congressional Gold Medal Award Ceremony
Two weeks later, another ceremony was conducted to further honor the Borinqueneers at the Morro Castle grounds in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, where medal replicas were presented to many veterans who could not make the trip to the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Several other activities were conducted to present replicas of the medal to 65th Infantry veterans throughout the United States. Those presentations were sponsored by public and private entities, as well as individuals from Puerto Rico, the United States and South Korea.
On April 18, 2016, the actual Congressional Gold Medal presented to the Borinqueneers was placed in the collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. for long term preservation and to be made available for display as part of the history of the United States.
Video of Full Ceremony
Speaker Paul Ryan has provided video of the full ceremony on his YouTube page. Colonel Siverio's daughter was able to attend the ceremony and is sitting next to him.