| Juan E. Negrón | |
| Birth Date: | September 26, 1929 |
| Birth Place: | Corozal, Puerto Rico |
| Death Place: | Bayamón, Puerto Rico |
| Placeofburial: | Puerto Rico National Cemetery in Bayamón, Puerto Rico |
| Placeofburial Label: | Place of burial |
| Medal: | cmoh army.jpg |
| Allegiance: | United States of America |
| Branch: | United States Army |
| Serviceyears: | 1948–1971 (years) |
| Rank: | Master Sergeant |
| Unit: | 65th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division |
| Battles: | Korean War |
| Awards: | Medal of Honor Purple Heart (2) |
Master Sergeant Juan E. Negrón Martínez (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 was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during combat in the Chinese Spring Offensive at Kalma-Eri, North Korea, on April 28, 1951, which was posthumously upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 2014.[1]
Juan E. Negrón Martínez= 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 3rd Infantry Division, deployed to the Republic of Korea. They were among the first infantrymen to meet the enemy on the battlefield. After November 1950, they fought daily against units of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) 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. In April 1951, the regiment participated in the Uijeonbu Corridor drives.[3]
On April 28, 1951, Negrón's unit came under heavy enemy attack. He was able to halt the enemy attack, despite the wounds which he received, by accurately throwing hand grenades at short range. For his actions, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army's second highest military decoration for heroism.
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. Master Sergeant 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]
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.[8]
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.[9] The award citation content, with the exception of the heading, remains the same as that for the Distinguished Service Cross.
Negrón's military decorations include:[10]
| 1 | Combat Infantryman Badge | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Medal of Honor | Purple Heart with one bronze oak leaf cluster | Army Good Conduct Medal | ||||
| 3 | National Defense Service Medal | Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars | |||||
| 4 | Korean War Service Medal | Navy Presidential Unit Citation | Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation | ||||
Foreign decorationThe 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 MedalOn 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.[11] [12] [13] [14]