Hamilton Korean War vet presented with medals
HAMILTON » Congressman Chris Smith recently presented medals to Miguel Hernandez Colon, more than 66 years after the veteran enlisted in the U.S. Army and was deployed to Korea.
Hernandez Colon, now 85, enlisted in the 65th Infantry Regiment on Feb. 27, 1952 and served through March 10, 1954.
In front of many of the veteran’s children, grandchildren, friends and family, Smith presented Hernandez Colon with international, national and state medals for his service in the Korean War.
“On behalf of the Congress, your family and everyone here, let me just say how proud we all are of you,” Smith said to Hernandez. “You earned these medals. You are a hero.”
Hernandez Colon served in the legendary “Borinqueneers,” officially known as the 65th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army based in Puerto Rico, as well as a reservist for seven years.
After the Korean War, Hernandez Colon served as a public school teacher for more than 40 years, including many years in the Trenton School District. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Catholic University of Puerto Rico and received a Master’s degree in urban studies from The College of New Jersey. He also taught at Mercer County Community College, where he helped many students obtain their high school equivalency degrees.
The medals Congressman Smith presented to Hernandez Colon are as follows.
National/International Medals:
•National Defense Service Medal
•Korean Service Medal
•United Nations Service Medal for Korea
State Medals:
•NJ Korean Service Medal
•NJ Distinguished Service Medal