Juan E. Negrón

Juan E. Negrón
  
Master Sergeant Juan E. Negrón, Medal of Honor recipient
Born September 26, 1929
Corozal, Puerto Rico
Died March 29, 1996(1996-03-29) (aged 66)
Bayamón, Puerto Rico
Place of burial Puerto Rico National Cemetery in Bayamón, Puerto Rico
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1948–1971 (22–23 years)
Rank Master Sergeant
Unit

65th Infantry Regiment

3rd Infantry Division
Battles/wars Korean War
Awards Medal of Honor
Purple Heart (2)

Master Sergeant Juan E. Negrón (September 26, 1929 – March 29, 1996) was a member of the United States Army who served in the 65th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. He is the posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions during combat operations in Kalma-Eri, North Korea, on April 28, 1951.[1]

Early life

Negrón (birth name: Juan E. Negrón Martínez [note 1]) was born and raised in the town of Corozal, Puerto Rico. In March 1948, he entered the U.S. Army in San Juan and was assigned to the 65th Infantry Regiment.

Upon the outbreak of the Korean War the men of the 65th, now attached to the Army's 3d Infantry Division, deployed to the Republic of Korea. They were among the first infantrymen to meet the enemy on the battlefields of Korea. After November, 1950, they fought daily against units of the Chinese People's Liberation Army after the Chinese entered the war on the North Korean side. One of the hardships suffered by the Puerto Ricans was the lack of warm clothing during the cold and harsh winters.[2] Among the battles and operations in which the 65th participated was Operation Killer in January 1951, becoming the first Regiment to cross the Han River in South Korea during the operation. On April 1951, the Regiment participated in the Uijonbu Corridor drives.[3]

On April 28, 1951, Negrón's unit came under heavy enemy attack. He was able to halt the enemy attack of his unit, despite the wounds which he received, by accurately hurled hand grenades at short range. For his actions he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross Medal, the Army's second highest military decoration for heroism.

Later years

After the war, Negrón continued to serve in the military. Among the positions which he held were that of senior non-commissioned officer for the Directorate of Doctrine and inspector general in Thailand. MSG Negrón retired from the U.S. Army in 1971 after 23 years of service. Upon his retirement he entered the federal service in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.[4]

On March 29, 1996, Negrón died in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. He was buried with military honors in Plot: J 0 3180 of the Puerto Rico National Cemetery located in the city of Bayamon.[5]

Honors

The Puerto Rico National Guard Readiness Center at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico will posthumously be named after Korean War Veteran and former member of the 65th Infantry Regiment and Medal of Honor recipient Master Sergeant Juan E. Negrón.

A statue in honor of Master Sgt. Juan E. Negron is located in his hometown Corozal, PR.

Medal of Honor

Negron's daughter Iris accepted the Medal of Honor for her late father on March 18, 2014.

Negron's distinguished Service Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama in a ceremony in the White House.

The award came through the National Defense Authorization Act which called for a review of Jewish American and Hispanic American veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War to ensure that no prejudice was shown to those deserving the Medal of Honor.[6][7]

Negrón is among three other Puerto Ricans whose Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States. He also has the distinction of being one of nine Puerto Ricans and the only member of the 65th Infantry Regiment to be honored with the decoration.[8] The award citation content, with the exception of the heading, remains the same as that for the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States
in the name of Congress
takes Pride in presenting the

Medal of Honor
(Posthumously)
to

MASTER SERGEANT
JUAN E. NEGRON
UNITED STATES ARMY

For service as set forth in the following citation: The Medal of Honor is posthumously presented to Juan E. Negron (RA10406243), Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with the 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division.

Master Sergeant Negron distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Kalma-Eri, Korea, on 28 April 1951. On that date, Sergeant Negron took up the most vulnerable position on his company's exposed right flank after an enemy force had overrun a section of the line. When notified that elements of the company were withdrawing, Sergeant Negron refused to leave his exposed position, but delivered withering fire at hostile troops who had broken through a road block. When the hostile troops approached his position, Sergeant Negron accurately hurled hand grenades at short range, halting their attack. Sergeant Negron held the position throughout the night, while an allied counter attack was organized and launched. After the enemy had been repulsed, fifteen enemy dead were found only a few feet from Sergeant Negron's position. The extraordinary heroism exhibited by Sergeant Negron on this occasion reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.

Military decorations

Negrón's military decorations include:[9]

A light blue ribbon with five white five pointed stars

Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
1 Combat Infantryman Badge
2 Medal of Honor Purple Heart
3 National Defense Service Medal Korean Service Medal
with three bronze service stars		 Navy Presidential Unit Citation
4 United Nations Service Medal Korean War Service Medal Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation

Foreign decoration

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.

Congressional Gold Medal

External video
You can see a video of President Barack Obama awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Borinqueneers here on YouTube

On June 10, 2014, President Barack Obama, signed the legislation, titled "The Borinqueneers CGM Bill", at an official ceremony. The Bill honors the 65th Infantry Regiment with the Congressional Gold Medal.[10][11][12][13]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑
    This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Negrón and the second or maternal family name is Martínez.

References

Further reading

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