A Legacy of Sacrifice: Hispanic Veterans in New York

A Legacy of Sacrifice: Hispanic Veterans in New York
Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Governor’s Reception Room, 2nd Floor.
New York State Capitol

Hispanic and Latino Americans have served with distinction in all branches of the U.S. military, from the American Revolution to today’s conflicts. They have always had critical, yet often overlooked, roles in shaping American history and defending the democratic ideals at the heart of our nation.

“A Legacy of Sacrifice: Hispanic Veterans in New York” recognizes the contributions of such service members who have defended freedom and advanced civil rights, both in military service and within their communities. From the valor of past generations to the nearly 500,000 Hispanic and Latino active-duty personnel serving today, their sacrifices and patriotism are remarkable.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from September 15 - October 15 and provides an opportunity to honor Hispanic and Latino service members and reflect on their stories.

During the American Civil War, more than 20,000 Hispanic soldiers fought for both the Union and Confederate armies. Their motivations for joining the war ranged from preserving wealth to seeking economic opportunity and acceptance in the U.S.

Joseph H. De Castro

Corporal Joseph H. De Castro, an 18-year-old color-bearer with the all-volunteer 19th Massachusetts Infantry, distinguished himself during Pickett’s Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg by capturing the Confederate’s 19th Virginia Infantry regiment flag. For this heroic act, De Castro received the Medal of Honor.

Civil War Regiments

In 1861, the Union organized the 39th New York Infantry Regiment, known as the “Garibaldi Guard.” Experienced soldiers from Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, Italy, and France fought alongside a Spanish-speaking company with soldiers from Spain, Cuba, Portugal, Puerto Rico, and Nicaragua.

While the regiment faced some internal challenges, including the court martial of their own colonel, its soldiers fought valiantly in major conflicts like the Battle of Gettysburg. By the end of the war, 274 soldiers died from wounds or disease.

The Garibaldi Guard’s accomplishments, along with those from units like the 55th New York Infantry Regiment (the Gardes de Lafayette), highlights the often-overlooked role and sacrifice of diverse regiments during the Civil War.

During World War II, an estimated 500,000 Hispanic and Latino service members served in all branches of the U.S. military.

While thousands of U.S. service members of Hispanic and Latino descent fought against racist regimes in Europe, they continued to experience discrimination and inequity when they returned home.

These veterans, alongside many non-Hispanic allies, rallied for equal rights through groups like the American GI Forum, a congressionally chartered Hispanic veterans and civil rights organization.

Carmen Contreras Bozak

In 1943, Carmen Contreras Bozak, raised in New York City, became the first Puerto Rican woman to join the U.S. Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). She spoke Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, and French, and served as an interpreter. She transmitted encoded messages while stationed at General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s headquarters in Algeria.

Bozak received the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, two Battle Stars, and other honors for her four years of service. After the war, Bozak volunteered with veterans’ affairs clinics and founded chapters of the Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association and the Society of Military Widows, organizations that provided advocacy, community, and support for women veterans and military families.

Caption: U.S. Army Technician Carmen Contreras Bozak. From the U.S. Latino and Latina World War II Oral History Project, the University of Texas at Austin. Creator: U.S. Army. Date: c. 1944.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 133,500 Hispanics served in the Korean War across all branches of service. However, the 65th Infantry Regiment, or “The Borinqueneers,” was the only all-Hispanic unit of the U.S. Army.

The Borinqueneers, nicknamed after the indigenous Taíno name for Puerto Rico, “Borikén,” were mainly Puerto Rican soldiers. The regiment had a long history of military service dating from the late 1800s.

At the outbreak of war in Korea in 1950, there was a need for manpower, and the 65th Infantry was in full strength both in numbers and training. They were immediately sent to the front line, where they spent more than 460 days fighting in rough terrain and under severe weather conditions.

During a three-day assault in the south of Seoul, members of the 65th Infantry charged Chinese-occupied hills with bayonets instead of rifles, forcing the enemy soldiers to flee. This battle was the last known U.S. Army battalion-sized bayonet charge in history.

In 2016, nearly six decades after the war, the 65th Infantry Regiment was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for its valor and significant contributions to the U.S. military efforts.

The Borinqueneers, a National Guard Heritage Painting by Dominic D'Andrea, courtesy of the National Guard Bureau.

In 2024, two veterans of the 65th Infantry who made New York their home were inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame.

Jose A. Rivera-Carrion

In February 1951, during a battle on Hill 88 near Myongil-li, Korea, Rivera-Carrion put himself in the line of fire to save fellow soldiers. Using only hand grenades, he bravely charged the enemy to create a clear path for his company to advance. He also helped to evacuate the wounded soldiers away from the battle. He was awarded the Silver Star for his service.

Julio A. Feliu

In October 1951, Julio A. Feliu and his company were attacked near Chorwon, Korea. Despite the barrage of fire, Feliu provided first aid and removed the wounded from the site. He also moved unmanned machine guns away from the battle zone and helped repair damaged guns while holding his position. Feliu was awarded the Bronze Star for his courage and resourcefulness under enemy fire.

Julio A. Feliu (left) and Jose A. Rivera-Carrion (right) in 2024 at their induction ceremony to the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame.

Because government data categorized Hispanic and Latino service members as “white,” data about the sacrifices of such soldiers is incomplete. It’s estimated that as many as 100,000 Hispanic and Latino service members served in the Vietnam War and made up 5.5% of all deaths recorded, but because of this insufficient data, it is difficult to confirm.

Angel Mendez

Angel Mendez (pictured at left) died at age 20 saving his platoon commander while serving in Vietnam and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.

The Mendez family emigrated from Puerto Rico to the South Bronx, where his father opened a grocery store. When their mother became ill, Angel and his seven siblings ended up in foster and group homes. Mendez volunteered to join the Marine Corps after high school in 1964, and his company was deployed to South Vietnam two years later.

In March 1967, Mendez and his company were attacked while conducting a search-and-destroy mission. Mendez exposed himself to enemy fire while assisting wounded fellow Marines. When his lieutenant was shot down, Mendez covered the lieutenant’s body with his own as he attempted first aid. He was wounded and killed for this act of bravery.

Gabriel A. Rodriguez

The fifth of 13 children born to Petra and Primitivo Rodriguez in Puerto Rico, Gabriel A. Rodriguez (pictured at right) moved with his family from Puerto Rico to Buffalo in 1953, where his father worked as a steelworker.

In 1968, Rodriguez was called to join the U.S. Army and was stationed in the Quy Nhon region with the 25th Infantry Division. Upon his return from Vietnam, Rodriguez suffered from post-traumatic stress for years before being officially diagnosed. Tragically, Rodriguez ended his life in 1981.

To honor his legacy, his family, friends, and Western New York veterans came together to advocate for better mental health resources for veterans. In 1985, they founded the Gabriel A. Rodriguez American Legion Post 1928, the first Hispanic American Legion post in Western New York. Officers said that Rodriguez’s story is a reminder that veterans with post-traumatic stress should be treated “as casualties of war not dissimilar to those wounded or killed in battle.”

In the years leading up to the beginning of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the percentage of Hispanic and Latino enlistment in the armed forces increased from 4% in 1983 to around 10%.

Hispanic veterans have a long history of dedicated service, and many have taken the leadership skills they gained in the military back to their communities to advocate for their fellow veterans.

After more than 15 years in the U.S. Marine Corps that included three tours in Iraq, Rudy Cazares of New York City founded Cazar Logistics in 2020. Today, his company is credited with creating hundreds of local jobs as one of Amazon’s top contractors.

Mercedes Elias, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, served on active duty for ten years. When she separated from service in 2016, she focused her efforts on supporting the military community transitioning into the corporate world.

After being sworn in as a licensed attorney, Cesar Vargas enlisted in the Army Reserve and continued to advocate for his community, including providing pro bono legal assistance to service members seeking a path to citizenship.

New Yorkers have always risen to the call, and during this Hispanic Heritage Month, take this time to acknowledge and thank Hispanic and Latino New Yorkers, who have defended American freedom for generations and serve as an enduring source of pride for our state and our nation.

Rudy Cazares and the Cazar Logistics team. Cazar Logistics also provides meals to military families across the five boroughs.

Mercedes Elias was named co-CEO of AmeriVet in 2021, and has served on the NYC Veterans Advisory Board, one of few women in that space.

Cesar Vargas enlisted in the U.S. military in 2017 after obtaining a green card. Today, Vargas, now a U.S. citizen, is a Judge Advocate in the United States Army and is Assistant Professor at the United States Military Academy, West Point.