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positions. Under the withering fire the men became disorganized and began to move in all directions. Realizing the necessity for the company to effect an orderly withdrawal and evacuate the wounded, Colonel
Cordero, the Regimental Commander, continuously exposed himself to the hostile bombardment as he moved among the men, offering encouragement and directing them through the heavy enemy fire. Inspired by his courage, the men assumed the initiative and continued to move toward friendly positions. At this time the ridge line over which the withdrawal was to be made was subjected to heavy artillery and mortar fire. Despite the urging of his executive officer that he seek a place of safety, Colonel Cordero refused to leave his men, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, braved the enemy fire to ensure that all had reached safety and the wounded had been evacuated. Colonel Cordero's gallant and inspirational leadership was instrumental to the success of the withdrawal and reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from Puerto Rico.
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the
Regimental Commander. After the war concluded, Cordero returned to the reserve for six months, then taking command of the Puerto Rico National Guard's 296th Combat Group. On September 10, 1950, Cordero was activated again due to the Korean War, commanding the 296th and overseeing Campamento Tortuguero, Campamento Salinas and Forts Losey and the Henry Barracks.
299:. He started his education in his native barrio, under Isaías González. Cordero completed his elementary education in the public schools of Carolina. Midway through high school, he joined the UPR's high school, from which he graduated. Afterwards he was accepted at the "Colegio de Agricultura y Artes Mecanicas" (CAAM) (now the
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His active military career began on June 1, 1942, when he was summoned to serve in World War II. On
January 2, 1952, he was reassigned to Third Infantry Division took over the 65th, commanding them along a set of Korean and Belgium battalions and platoon from Luxembourg. He also served as an S-4 and
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Cordero-Dávila served with the regiment in World War II for over three and a half years, advancing from the
Regimental S-4 to Battalion Executive Officer, Battalion Commander of the regiment's 3rd Battalion, and Regimental Executive Officer. He also served for short periods during World War II as
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The 65th
Infantry was deactivated when it returned to Puerto Rico in 1956. General Cordero Dávila, persuaded the Department of the Army to transfer the 65th Infantry from the regular Army to the Puerto Rican National Guard. This was the only unit ever transferred from active component Army to the
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He was then employed by the
Department of Interior and later joined the Irrigation Service in Isabela. When he was 23 years old, Cordero was named Superintendent of Irrigation, remaining in the office until 1938. Cordero was then named director of the Housing Authority of Puerto Rico. On May 25,
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on July 20, 1952, Company "C" was attempting a withdrawal after completing a raiding mission on enemy positions near
Chongdong, Korea. In the initial phase of the withdrawal the friendly troops were subjected to intense hostile automatic weapons, artillery and mortar fire from nearby enemy
458:. Twice the 65th Regiment was overwhelmed by PVA artillery and driven off. For his performance during this time, Cordero was congratulated by Gen. Thomas Cross, who labeled one of the attacks supervised by Cordero as "the best attack witnessed in three wars".
512:, replacing Esteves who had retired due to health issues. Cordero took office on October 1, 1958, and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. On July 6, 1960, Cordero was ascended to the rank of Division General.
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When World War II came to an end, Cordero Dávila returned to Puerto Rico and assumed the commanded of the 296th
Regimental Combat Team. He was responsible for training most of the men serving in the 65th Infantry.
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Col. Juan César
Cordero Dávila was relieved from his command as regimental commander by Col. Chester B. DeGavre, a non-Hispanic West Point graduate and a "continental," officer from the mainland United States.*
443:(PVA) positions. On July 20, after an enemy counterattack, Cordero Dávila exposed himself to enemy fire and helped to evacuate the wounded men of Company "C" and guide them to safety. Cordero Dávila, a
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January 2, 1953, Cordero returned to Puerto Rico and retook command of the 296th. He also resumed his civil work in the housing projects. While working as Executive Director of CRUV, he was named
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The Bravery Gold Medal of Greece was given by the Government of Greece to the 65th Infantry Regiment and to the members of the regiment who fought in the Korean War.
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for his actions. On October the Regiment also saw action in the Cherwon Sector and on Iron Horse, Hill 391, whose lower part was called "Jackson Heights".
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Colonel Juan C. Cordero, 0222751, Infantry, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Army.
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34th Infantry Divisions 107th Infantry Regiment and participated in a number of small unit engagements at Turine, Espinal-Chenimeril and Leintray.
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In September 1952, the 65th Infantry was holding on to a position known as "Outpost Kelly". The PVA overran the hill in what became known as the
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428:, the Army Chief of Staff, named Colonel Cordero Dávila, the highest-ranking Puerto Rican in the Army, Commanding officer of the 65th Regiment.
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Army Guard. He also served as executive director of the Puerto Rico Housing Authority and Housing Coordinator for the Governor of Puerto Rico
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On July 3, 1952, the Regiment defended the MLR for 47 days and saw action at Cognac, King and Queen with successful attacks on Chinese
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on July 1951. On November 1951, the Regiment fought off an attack by two Regimental size enemy units, with success.
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Puertorriquenos Who Served With Guts, Glory, and Honor. Fighting to Defend a Nation Not Completely Their Own
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On August 26, 1950, the 65th Infantry under the command of Colonel Julian C. Lindsey, left Puerto Rico for
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as executive officer of the 65th. On July 20, 1965, Cordero died during an accident involving a plane.
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In 2020 Juan César Cordero Dávila was posthumously inducted to the Puerto Rico Veterans Hall of Fame.
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named the building which houses the Housing Department of Puerto Rico, located at Avenida Barbosa in
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after him. His son César Narciso would follow in his footsteps, becoming an officer in the PRNG.
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to protect the Pacific and the Atlantic sides of the isthmus. In 1944, the regiment was sent to
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Richard Payerchin, "President Obama to honor Army's Puerto Rican regiment the Borinqueneers,"
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Historia y Tradiciones: Guardia Nacional de Puerto Rico - Cinco Centurias... En Guardia
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The Juan César Cordero Dávila Building in his honor. The government also named a
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program. In 1925, he earned his degree as a civil engineer. He also gained his
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Obama honors Puerto Rican Infantry Regiment with Congressional Gold Medal,
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on July 22 and was survived by his wife Elvira Rubell and three children.
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installations. On September 22, 1944, the 65th Infantry landed in
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General Cordero pins the Silver Star on Cpl. Enrique Vega Lugo
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Cordero Dávila was assigned to the 65th Infantry Regiment at
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awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Borinqueneers
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Obama awards Borinqueneers Congressional Medal of Honor,
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which was under the command of fellow Puerto Rican Col.
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Among Cordero Dávila's decorations were the following:
377:. Opinions of Cordero's leadership skills were mixed.
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413:and they were also instrumental in breaking the
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31: and the second or maternal family name is
1438:United States Army personnel of the Korean War
633:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
379:See video discussion of Cordero's leadership.
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1433:United States Army personnel of World War II
1163:Borinqueneers Forgotten Heroes Forgotten War
747:Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
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354:. In Corsica they were assigned to guard
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1468:National Guard (United States) generals
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1022:List of Puerto Rican military personnel
488:GENERAL ORDERS #303 - 23 September 1952
55:Major General Juan César Cordero Dávila
1042:Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal
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1312:Norat, José Angel (March 27, 1987).
366:, relieved the 2nd Battalion of the
733:Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
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1443:People from Carolina, Puerto Rico
812:You can see a video of President
486:HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION
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719:Army Presidential Unit Citation
559:Military awards and decorations
371:442nd "Nisei" Infantry Regiment
287:Cordero Dávila, born in barrio
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790:(Bravery Gold Medal of Greece)
647:National Defense Service Medal
619:American Defense Service Medal
510:Puerto Rico's Adjutant General
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1473:Recipients of the Silver Star
1458:United States Army reservists
1448:Puerto Rico Adjutant Generals
1224:Puerto Rico National Cemetery
1027:Puerto Ricans in World War II
663:with bronze Hourglass Device
522:Puerto Rico National Cemetery
424:On February 8, 1952, General
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1037:Puerto Rico Adjutant General
827:On June 10, 2014, President
381:The 65th Infantry faced the
212:Puerto Rico Adjutant General
23:, the first or paternal
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1453:Puerto Rican Army personnel
1330:; by : Greg Boudonck;
447:recipient, was awarded the
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788:Chryssoun Aristion Andrias
705:United Nations Korea Medal
661:Armed Forces Reserve Medal
605:World War II Victory Medal
309:United States Army Reserve
297:San Juan Metropolitan Area
135:United States Army Reserve
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261:Juan César Cordero Dávila
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833:Congressional Gold Medal
795:Congressional Gold Medal
767:Combat Infantryman Badge
542:Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
117:United States of America
1193:"Silver Star Citations"
456:Battle of Outpost Kelly
441:People's Volunteer Army
188:442nd Infantry Regiment
546:public housing project
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265:65th Infantry Regiment
1195:. Korean War Educator
1017:List of Puerto Ricans
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293:Carolina, Puerto Rico
207:3rd Infantry Division
160:Years of service
75:Carolina, Puerto Rico
16:United States General
1403:Silver Star Citation
687:Korean Service Medal
466:Silver Star citation
106:Bayamón, Puerto Rico
1296:The Morning Journal
1266:New York Daily News
154:Army National Guard
1393:Puerto Rico Herald
1316:. Esmaco Printers.
1236:"Salón de la Fama"
1213:Puerto Rico Herald
1179:2008-06-24 at the
1009:Puerto Rico portal
916:Lieutenant colonel
773:Foreign decoration
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273:United States Army
145:United States Army
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368:Japanese-American
313:Second Lieutenant
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1366:Luis Muñoz Marín
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1322:Further reading
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