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Times/NJ.com Article on Smith Presentation to Korean War Vet:'Never too late. Korean War vet awarded 5 medals for his service'

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HAMILTON, NJ , Aug 29, 2018 | comments

  • Trenton Times Logo

  • Rep. Smith (left) and Miguel Hernandez Colon (right), Korean War veteran who served in the U.S. Army 65th Infantry Regiment

  • Trenton Times Page 1, Aug 30, 2018

By Michael Mancuso

For NJ.com

Miguel Hernandez, a native of Puerto Rico, has a life-long history of service, including 40 years as a teacher.

Tuesday, however, he was honored for his military service from decades ago.

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist., presented the Korean War veteran with five service medals during a surprise lunchtime visit to Active Day Adult Day Health Center, in Hamilton.

Smith, along with other officials, praised and honored Hernandez, who served with the U.S. Army's 65th Infantry Regiment, based in Puerto Rico.



Hernandez served in the unit - known as the Borinqueneers (an original name of the island) - from Feb. 1952 to March 1954, and then as a reservist for seven years.

The 65th was one of the last segregated units in the military.

Smith called the Borinqueneers, "a group of Puerto Rican warriors who fought tenaciously, so much so the General MacArthur singled out the 65th and said how brave and how magnificently you performed in the Korean War."

"We have nothing but admiration and respect for you," Smith said.

Family members in attendance included Hernandez' two daughters, Elena Hernandez and Hilda Alverado, his granddaughter Melissa DeJesus and her twin boys Dominic and Isiah Rivera, 8, and daughter Jalissa Rivera ,6.

He also got a Facetime call from his son, Miguel Hernandez, Jr. who lives on the west coast and is himself a veteran, having served in the Marines for two years and in the Army for 10, and served in Grenada and the Gulf War.

For a photo gallery of 11 photo's by Times' award winning  photographer Mike Mancuso, click here, or on image below.

"And this man in front of you? He's the greatest. My dad! He makes me a proud Puerto Rican and overall a very proud American," Hernandez Jr. said, speaking through a microphone held to the phone's speaker.

The medals conferred were: the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and two state medals - The NJ Korean Service Medal and The NJ Distinguished Service Medal.



This article was published on Page 1 of the Trenton Times in the Aug. 30 print edition and can be found online at:
https://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2018/08/veteran_gets_medals.html#incart_river_index  
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