On Nov. 20, the Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to Rodrigo Hernandez Gonzalez of Kissimmee, and posthumously, to his brother, Eduviges Gonzalez Hernandez, for their actions as part of Puerto Rico’s “65th Infantry Regiment— The Borinqueneers” — during the Korean War.
Rogelio Hernandez Gonzalez served as a Private First Class of the “I” Company of the 65th Regiment, and Eduviges Hernandez Gonzalez served as a Private in the “E” Company. Eduviges was killed in action on June 4, 1951 during a mortar fire barrage.
They were presented the award by Mr. Hector Diaz, President and CEO of the 65th Infantry Regiment Borinqueneers” Motorcycle Club. The Gonzalez- Hernandez family had not been given the opportunity to receive the Congressional Gold Medal during the presentation by President Obama in 2016, due to lack of research and administrative errors in the spelling of the servicemen’s names.
Rodrigo’s son, Miguel Gonzalez Hernandez, reached out to family friends, who undertook the necessary research, and contacted Diaz, who completed the vetting process for the awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal.
“The Hernandez Gonzalez family is definitely a Gold Star Family,” said retired U.S. Navy Commander Jose R. Rivera, who attended the ceremony. “I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Rogelio Hernandez Gonzalez. He honored me by sharing a very short allegory of an Islander boy going through the extreme cold in Korea. Rogelio is 96 years old and his health is waning. Yet, when the National Anthem and the Puerto Rican National Anthem were played, he tried his best to stand at attention and salute. He spoke heavily accented English, and though some may say he doesn’t speak well, there is no doubt that he is a Patriot.”
