Juan Cesar Cordero Davila
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Major General Juan Cesar Cordero Davila (June 6, 1904-1965) born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, was a commanding officer of the 65th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War, becoming one of the highest ranking ethnic officers in the Army.
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Cordero Davila was raised in the metropolitan area of Puerto Rico where he received his primary and secondary education. He was accepted in the University of Puerto Rico upon his high school graduation and studied at Mayaguez's College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts. Cordero Davila actively participated in that institution's Army ROTC program. In 1925, he earned his degree and his United States Army Reserve commission as a Second Lieutenant[1]
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[edit] World War II
In 1942, the 65th Infantry underwent an extensive training program, and in 1943 it was sent to Panama to protect the Pacific and the Atlantic sides of the isthmus.
In 1944, the regiment was sent to North Africa, arriving at Casablanca, where they underwent further training. By April 29, 1944, the regiment had landed in Italy and moved on to Corsica. In Corsica they were assigned to guard Army Air Force installations. On September 22, 1944, the 65th Infantry landed in Toulon, France and was committed to action on the Maritime Alps at Peira Cava. On December 13, the 3rd Battalion under the command of Cordero Davila, then a Lieutenant Colonel, relieved the 2nd Battalion of the Japanese-American 442nd "Nisei" Infantry Regiment. The 65th Infantry faced the German 34th Infantry Divisions 107th Infantry Regiment and participated in a number of small unit engagements at Turine, Espinal-Chenimeril and Leintray.[2]
Cordero-Davila served with the regiment in World War II for over three and a half years, advancing from the Regimental S-4 to Battalion Executive Officer, Battalion Commander of the regiment's 3rd Battalion, and Regimental Executive Officer. He also served for short periods during World War II as the Regimental Commander.
[edit] Korean War
When World War II came to an end, Cordero Davila returned to Puerto Rico and assumed the commanded of the 296th Regimental Combat Team. He was responsible for training most of the men serving in the 65th Infantary.
On August 26, 1950, the 65th Infantry under the command of Colonel Julian C. Lindsey, departed from Puerto Rico and arrived in Pusan, Korea on September 23, 1950. Under the command of Colonel Linsey, the 65th became the third Regiment to cross the Han Ton River. The 65th was the Regiment which took and held Cherwon and they were also instrumental in breaking the "Iron Triangle" of Hill 717 on July 1951. On November 1951, the Regiment fought off an attack by two Regimental size enemy units, with success.
On February 8, 1952, General J. Lawton Collins, the Army Chief of Staff, named Colonel Cordero Davila, the highest-ranking Puerto Rican in the Army, Commanding officer of the 65th Regiment.
On July 3, 1952, the Regiment defended the MLR for 47 days and saw action at Cognac, King and Queen with successful attacks on Chinese positions. On July 20, after an enemy counter acttack, Codero Davila exposed himself to enemy fire and helped to evacuate the wounded men of Company "C" and guide them to safety. For his actions he was awarded the Silver Star Medal. On October the Regiment also saw action in the Cherwon Sector and on Iron Horse, Hill 391, whose lower part was called "Jackson Heights".
On September of 1952, the 65th Infantry was holding on to a hill known as "Outpost Kelly". Chinese Communist forces which had joined the North Koreans, overran the hill in what became known as the Battle for Outpost Kelly. Twice the 65th Regiemnt was overwhelmed by Chinese artillery and driven off.
Col. Juan Cesar Cordero Davila was relieved from his command as regimental commander by Col. Chester B. DeGavre, a non-Hispanic West Point graduate and a "continental," officer from the mainland United States.*[3]
[edit] Silver Star Citation
Silver Star
Headquarter 3D Infantry Division
General Orders #303 - 23 September 1952
Colonel Juan C. Cordero, 0222751, Infantry, Headquarters and Headquarters Compnay, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Army.
on July 20, 1952, Compnay "C" was attempting a withdrawal after completing a raiding mission on enemy positions near Chongdong, Korea. in the initial phase of the withdrawal the friendly troops were subjected to intense hostile automatic weapons, artillery and mortar fire from nearby enemy positions. Under the withering fire the men became disorganized and began to move in all directions. Realizing the necessityfor the company to effect an orderly withdrawal and evacuate the wouonded, Colonel Cordero, the Regimental Commander, continuously exposed himself to the hostile bombardment as he moved among the men, offering encouragement and directing them through the heavy enemy fire. Inspired by his courage, the men assumed the initiative and continued to move toward friendly positions. At this time the ridge line over which the withdrawal was to be made was subjected to heavy artillery and mortar fire. Despite the urging of his executive officer that he seek a place of safety, Colonel Cordero refused to leave his men, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, braved the enemy fire to insure that all had reached safety and the wounded had been evacuated. Colonel Cordero's gallant and inspirational leadership was instrumental to the success of the withdrawal and reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal Service from Puerto Rico.[4]
[edit] Military awards and decorations
Among Cordero Davila's decorations were the following:
[edit] Postscript
Cordero Davila retired from active duty on December 5, 1952. He continued to be active as Puerto Rico's Adjutant General with the Puerto Rico National Guard reaching the rank of Major General. The 65th Infantry was deactivated when ot returned to Puerto Rico in 1956. General Cordero Davila, persuaded the Department of the Army to transfer the 65th Infantry from the regular Army to the Puerto Rican National Guard. This was the only unit ever transferred from active component Army to the Army Guard. He also served as executive director of the Puerto Rico Housing Authority and Housing Coordinator for the Governor of Puerto Rico Luis Muñoz Marín.[5]
Major General Juan Cesar Cordero Davila died tragically in an airplane crash in 1965. He was married to Elvira Rubell with whom he had three children. The Government of Puerto Rico named the building which houses the Housing Department of Puerto Rico, located at Avenida Barbosa in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico The Juan César Cordero Dávila Building in his honor. The government also named a public housing project in San Juan after him.
