Carlos Betances Ramirez
Encyclopedia
Colonel Carlos Betances Ramírez (July 8, 1910 – October 28, 2001), was the only Puerto Rican
to command a Battalion
in the Korean War
.
. His father died when he was young and as a result, he and his six other siblings were raised by his mother, grandfather and uncles. His mother worked as a seamstress, to support the family. Betances always stated that he was proud of being a "Jibaro
" (A poor Puerto Rican farmer) however, Puerto Rico was going through a difficult economy crisis and Betances, like so many other farmers, had to seek employment elsewhere.
on November 11, 1942. Betances served as an enlisted man until July 13, 1943 when he was promoted to the rank of Platoon Sergeant.
Betances attended the Officers Candidate School at Fort Benning
, Georgia
and on July 14, 1943 was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. During World War II
, he served as Platoon Leader in Company I, 3rd Bat., 295 Infantry Regiment, which was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone
. In 1945, he was promoted to the rank of Captain.
, the Army was racially segregated. The 295th, 296th, and 65th Infantry Regiments were all formations consisting mostly of Puerto Rican enlisted men with Continental American officers. In 1946, Betances was assigned as Company Commander, Training Company, 65th Infantry Regiment. He took an Infantry Officers Advanced Course at Fort Benning and also in the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth
, Kansas
.
In June 1952, Betances arrived in Korea
as a Lieutenant Colonel
. In July 1952, he volunterred to take command of the 2nd Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, whose previous Commander had recently had his leg blown off in action. Taking command of a unit while it is in combat, is considered to be an extremely difficult thing to do.
In the letters that he wrote to his family, Betances indicated how he went for long periods of time without sleep or rest, while commanding his soldiers and trying to prevent the Chinese
from destroying his men and breaking through his lines. This was an extremely stressful time requiring intelligence and leadership of the approximately 850 men in his Battalion.
At one point, Betances and his Regimental Commander, Colonel Juan César Cordero Dávila
visited his men in the front lines, despite the dangers involved; this act was very important to his men as it helped to lift their moral and spirits. On October 28, 1952, Betances led his men in the victorious Battle of Jackson Heights
.
Colonel Betances served as Battalion Commander from July to October 1952. He was the only Puerto Rican officer to have commanded an Infantry Battalion in the Korean War.
Between November 1952 to September 1953, Betances served as the Operations and Training Officer and Military Advisor to General Min Ki Sik, who commanded the 21st Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Korea and was instrumental in organizing and training four Infantry Divisions for the Republic of Korea.
, also known as the "Borinqueneers". He had a large military library at his home and loved to keep in touch with his friends. On October 24, 2001, while in the hospital, Betances received the Bronze Star
, he had earned 49 years before.
Colonel Carlos Betances Ramírez died of heart
and liver
failure on October 28, 2001, exactly forty-nine years, to the day, after the Battle of Jackson Heights, in which he participated. He was buried with full military honors at section K, site 3030, Puerto Rico National Cemetery
in Bayamon, Puerto Rico
.
Badges:
Foreign decoration
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
to command a Battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
Early years
Betances was born in the "Barrio" Las Delicias, Cabo Rojo, Puerto RicoCabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
Cabo Rojo is a municipality situated on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico and forms part of the San Germán–Cabo Rojo metropolitan area as well as the larger Mayagüez–San Germán–Cabo Rojo Combined Statistical Area....
. His father died when he was young and as a result, he and his six other siblings were raised by his mother, grandfather and uncles. His mother worked as a seamstress, to support the family. Betances always stated that he was proud of being a "Jibaro
Jíbaro
Jíbaro is a term from the Taíno words "jiba" and "ro", that means forest people, commonly used in Puerto Rico to refer to mountain-dwelling peasants, but in modern times it has gained a broader cultural meaning.-History:...
" (A poor Puerto Rican farmer) however, Puerto Rico was going through a difficult economy crisis and Betances, like so many other farmers, had to seek employment elsewhere.
Military career
In 1928, at the age of 18, Betances joined the Puerto Rican National Guard. He served from 1928–1935 and returned again in 1938. He had served in the National Guard for a total of 8 years before joining the regular United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
on November 11, 1942. Betances served as an enlisted man until July 13, 1943 when he was promoted to the rank of Platoon Sergeant.
Betances attended the Officers Candidate School at Fort Benning
Fort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
and on July 14, 1943 was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he served as Platoon Leader in Company I, 3rd Bat., 295 Infantry Regiment, which was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
. In 1945, he was promoted to the rank of Captain.
Korean War
Until the Korean WarKorean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, the Army was racially segregated. The 295th, 296th, and 65th Infantry Regiments were all formations consisting mostly of Puerto Rican enlisted men with Continental American officers. In 1946, Betances was assigned as Company Commander, Training Company, 65th Infantry Regiment. He took an Infantry Officers Advanced Course at Fort Benning and also in the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth is a United States Army facility located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, immediately north of the city of Leavenworth in the upper northeast portion of the state. It is the oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C. and has been in operation for over 180 years...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
.
In June 1952, Betances arrived in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
as a Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
. In July 1952, he volunterred to take command of the 2nd Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, whose previous Commander had recently had his leg blown off in action. Taking command of a unit while it is in combat, is considered to be an extremely difficult thing to do.
In the letters that he wrote to his family, Betances indicated how he went for long periods of time without sleep or rest, while commanding his soldiers and trying to prevent the Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
from destroying his men and breaking through his lines. This was an extremely stressful time requiring intelligence and leadership of the approximately 850 men in his Battalion.
At one point, Betances and his Regimental Commander, Colonel Juan César Cordero Dávila
Juan Cesar Cordero Davila
Major General Juan César Cordero Dávila , was the commanding officer of the 65th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War, rising to become one of the highest ranking ethnic officers in the United States Army.-Early years:...
visited his men in the front lines, despite the dangers involved; this act was very important to his men as it helped to lift their moral and spirits. On October 28, 1952, Betances led his men in the victorious Battle of Jackson Heights
Jackson Heights
Jackson Heights may refer to:*Jackson Heights, Queens, an area within the Queens section of New York City*Jackson Heights , a residential neighborhood within the East Tampa district of the City of Tampa, Florida, United States...
.
Colonel Betances served as Battalion Commander from July to October 1952. He was the only Puerto Rican officer to have commanded an Infantry Battalion in the Korean War.
Between November 1952 to September 1953, Betances served as the Operations and Training Officer and Military Advisor to General Min Ki Sik, who commanded the 21st Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Korea and was instrumental in organizing and training four Infantry Divisions for the Republic of Korea.
Later years
Betances retired in 1962. He never lost his love for the Army and his favorite regiment, The 65th Infantry Regiment65th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 65th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed "The Borinqueneers," was an all-volunteer Puerto Rican regiment of the United States Army. Its motto was Honor et Fidelitas, Latin for Honor and Fidelity. It participated in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War...
, also known as the "Borinqueneers". He had a large military library at his home and loved to keep in touch with his friends. On October 24, 2001, while in the hospital, Betances received the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, he had earned 49 years before.
Colonel Carlos Betances Ramírez died of heart
Heart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
and liver
Liver
The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
failure on October 28, 2001, exactly forty-nine years, to the day, after the Battle of Jackson Heights, in which he participated. He was buried with full military honors at section K, site 3030, Puerto Rico National Cemetery
Puerto Rico National Cemetery
Puerto Rico National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in the city of Bayamón, in the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It encompasses of land, and as of the end of 2005, had 44,722 interments. It is the only National Cemetery in Puerto Rico, and the only one outside of the mainland...
in Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Bayamón, Puerto Rico
Bayamón is a municipality of Puerto Rico located on the northern coastal valley, north of Aguas Buenas and Comerío; south of Toa Baja and Cataño; west of Guaynabo; and east of Toa Alta and Naranjito. Bayamón is spread over 11 wards and Bayamón Pueblo...
.
Military awards and decorations
Among Betances Ramírez's decorations were the following:| Bronze Star Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the... |
||
| Purple Heart Purple Heart The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York... |
Presidential Unit Citation Presidential Unit Citation (US) The Presidential Unit Citation, originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and allies for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941... |
Meritorious Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions.... |
| American Campaign Medal American Campaign Medal The American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt... |
World War II Victory Medal | National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... |
| Korean Service Medal Korean Service Medal The Korean Service Medal is an award of the United States military and was created in November 1950 by executive order of President Harry Truman. The Korean Service Medal is the primary United States medal for participation in the Korean War and is awarded to any U.S. service member, who... |
United Nations Service Medal United Nations Service Medal The United Nations Service Medal for Korea is an international military decoration which was established by the United Nations on December 12, 1950... |
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation |
Badges:
Combat Infantryman BadgeCombat Infantryman BadgeThe Combat Infantryman Badge is the U.S. Army combat service recognition decoration awarded to soldiers—enlisted men and officers holding colonel rank or below, who personally fought in active ground combat while an assigned member of either an infantry or a Special Forces unit, of brigade size...
Foreign decoration
- Chryssoun Aristion Andrias (Bravery Gold Medal of Greece)
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- List of Puerto Rican military personnel
- List of Korean War veterans who are recipients of the Bronze Star
- Puerto Ricans in World War IIPuerto Ricans in World War IIPuerto Ricans and people of Puerto Rican descent have participated as members of the United States Armed Forces in every conflict in which the United States has been involved since World War I. In World War II, Puerto Rican members of the U.S. armed forces guarded U.S...
- 65th Infantry