Print This Page

Staff Sergeant Calixto López Piñero

A young Puerto Rican man in an Army uniform.
  • Unit: 65th Infantry Regiment
  • Date of Birth: October 19, 1924
  • Entered the Military: September 22, 1944
  • Date of Death: November 15, 1999
  • Hometown: Juncos, Puerto Rico
  • Place of Death: Isabela, Puerto Rico
  • Award(s): Korean Campaign Ribbon with 4 Bronze Battle Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Air Force Good Conduct Medal
  • Cemetery: Jardines Memorial Park, Isabela, Puerto Rico
Contributed by Abigail Arguedas, Gianna Banducci, Abner-Obed Cardona, Gilyanis Correa, Habacuc Laracuente, Franco Mercado Pacheco, Adriel Piñero, Angelina Rodriguez, and Sean Solomon
Mentored by Mr. Tim Proskauer
Ramey Unit School
2024/2025

Early Life

Calixto Lopez Piñero was born in Juncos, Puerto Rico, on October 19, 1924. His mother was Herminia Piñero and his father was Francisco López. Calixto grew up as the eldest of five children, four sons and one daughter. When Herminia died, Francisco remarried Concepcion Ruiz, and they had three daughters. 

Francisco worked for the railroad as the head of the station in Isabela, Puerto Rico. He instilled in Calixto a sense of discipline that would guide him throughout a life shaped by hard work and determination.

Young Calixto with his wife, Asisla Gonzalez, c.1944. Courtesy of the Lopez Family.
Three flags fly above the town hall of Isabela, Puerto Rico: The U,S. flag, the Puerto Rican flag, and the municipal flag, 2025. Courtesy of Tim Proskauer.

Homefront

Daily life in Isabela was shaped by poverty but also a strong sense of community and simplicity. People mostly ate rice, beans, soup, and bread, with meat being a rarity. Music and dance were key forms of entertainment, with pasodobles and romantic boleros heard over radios during parrandas. Religion—mostly Catholicism—was deeply ingrained in daily life, though churches were few. Education was limited; schools were small, poorly resourced, and split into short morning or afternoon sessions. Despite economic hardship, many remember the era as peaceful, with less crime and violence, and a lifestyle centered on family, resilience, and shared joys in modest surroundings.

In 1950, three major events impacted Puerto Rico. First, the U.S. Congress passed Law 600, which began the process of transforming the island to self-government through a new Constitution. Second, the Nationalist Party spearheaded a violent rebellion (which was quickly put down). And third, the outbreak of the Korean War led to the mobilization of thousands of young Puerto Rican men to fight communism 10,000 miles from home. López Piñero soon joined them. 

The Catholic Church that faces the town square of Isabela, Puerto Rico, 2025. Courtesy Tim Proskauer.
The headlines of El Mundo on July 4, 1950, describe the path to a new Constitution, as well as the early stages of the Korean War. By September, thousands of Puerto Ricans were on their way to Korea. Global Press Archive.

Military Experience

The Borinqueneers occupy a unique spot in both the history of the military and in the history of Puerto Rico. Starting out as a volunteer regiment in the colonial period, they developed into the Army’s only all-Spanish unit, serving together in both world wars. 

Caxlito López Piñero answered the call to serve his country not once, but multiple times. He first enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1944 during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946, only to re-enlist shortly after. He was assigned to Company D of the 65th Infantry Regiment and stationed in Puerto Rico.

On March 11, 1948, López Piñero married Asisla Gonzalez Gutierrez in Isabela, Puerto Rico. They raised three children, Wilma, Calixto, and Doris.

In 1949, López Piñero participated in Operation Portrex (also known as the “Puerto Rican Exercise”). In this exercise, the 65th Infantry Regiment served as the “defenders” of the island of Vieques, and unexpectedly defeated the “attackers” from the 3rd Infantry Division. Their success caught the attention of military commanders.

When the conflict broke out in Korea, the military needed well-prepared units. The 65th Infantry Regiment deployed from San Juan on August 26, 1950, as one of the earliest units to join the fighting.  As the Puerto Rican troops crossed the Pacific, they held a contest to select their new name. Upon setting foot on the Korean peninsula they were known as the “Borinqueneers.” The name is a reference to “Borinquen,” the name the Taino called the island. The regiment was placed under the command of the 3rd Infantry Division. Members of the 65th Infantry Regiment fought side-by-side in Korea with soldiers they “defeated” in Operation Portrex.

In Korea, the Borinqueneers distinguished themselves. They entered combat in the Pusan Perimeter and helped repel the North Korean advance, then participated in operations with the U.S. Tenth Corps during the drive into North Korea. They served valiantly, covering the retreat of the first Marine Division from Chosin Reservoir, and were the last unit off the beach during the evacuation of Hungnam in December 1950. 

Just after the retreat, López Piñero’s tour ended. Instead of returning home, he re-enlisted and continued serving alongside his countrymen in combat for another ten months. They took part in operations to retake Seoul and advanced to the Imjin River. They engaged in significant battles, including the Soyang River area and Chorwon Valley, where they worked to secure strategic locations. López Piñero’s final months in battle were spent performing operations in the critical Iron Triangle region just north of the 38th parallel. 

López Piñero shipped home in November 1950. For his service, he received the Korean Campaign Ribbon with four bronze battle stars, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge, along with other honors. The brave service of the Borinqueneers earned the praise of military commanders, and made them heroes back home. 

After his time in Korea, López Piñero transitioned to the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a supply sergeant at Ramey Air Force Base in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and repeatedly received high praise on his evaluations. He received an honorable discharge in 1966, leaving behind a legacy of perseverance and excellence in his military career. 

The 65th Infantry Regiment’s success in Operation Portrex gave the Army faith in their readiness to be successful in their deployment to Korea, 1949. Courtesy of the Lopez Family.
Caxlito López Piñero on the ground in Korea in 1951. When his tour of duty expired early in the deployment, he chose to re-enlist so he could continue to fight with the Borinqueneers, 1951. Courtesy of the Lopez Family.
In December, 1950, the Chinese poured across the Yalu River, driving the UN forces out of North Korea. The Borinqueneers covered the retreat and evacuation through the port of Hungnam. On December 24, 1950, the Puerto Rican troops were some of the last troops off the beach. 3rd Infantry Division in Korea.
Caxlito López Piñero’s DD-214 detailing his military service, May 31, 1966. National Archives and Records Administration. Courtesy of the Lopez Family.

Veteran Experience

In his hometown of Isabela, Puerto Rico, López Piñero was a pillar of his community. A devoted family man, he and his wife Asisla Gonzalez raised three children, two daughters, and a son, instilling in them the same values of kindness and service that defined his life. He was a loving grandfather to six grandchildren. He was deeply involved in his church, the San Antonio Parish in Isabela, and was an active member of the Lions Club, where his leadership and dedication to community service left a lasting impact.

Calixto López Piñero with his wife, Asisla Gonzalez Gutierrez., c.1965. After being discharged from the army he served in the U.S. Air Force until 1966 as a supply sergeant at Ramey Air Force Base in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Courtesy of the Lopez Family.
Calixto López Piñero lived a full life after retirement as a pillar of his community. Courtesy of the Lopez Family.

Commemoration

On November 15, 1999, Calixto López Piñero passed away, leaving behind a legacy of love, service, and faith. Today, we honor his memory and express our gratitude for the example he set. His story is a testament to the quiet heroism that shapes the lives of so many Veterans, a legacy we must never forget.

The 65th Infantry Regiment was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2013.

Calixto López Piñero was laid to rest alongside his wife, Asisla Gonzalez Gutierrez, in Jardines Memorial in Isabela, Puerto Rico. Courtesy of Tim Proskauer, March 2025.
The brave service of the Borinqueneers earned the praise of military commanders, and made them heroes back home. The 65th Infantry Regiment was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2013. National Museum of the United States Army.
Calixto’s great-grandson, Adriel Pinero, delivers a eulogy for the his great grandfather in March 2025. Courtesy of Tim Proskauer.

Bibliography

Primary Sources

1950 Census of Population Preliminary Counts. U.S. Department of Commerce. August 1, 1950. https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/pc-04/pc-4-05.pdf.

“Census of Housing, 1950.” U.S. Department of Commerce. 1953. https://censo.estadisticas.pr/sites/default/files/Decenal/USCB_CensusofHousingVol1P7_1950.pdf.

“Furioso Duelo a Tiros en el Barrio Obrero; Tropas Guardia Nacional Ocupan Jayuya.” El Mundo [San Juan, PR], November 1, 1950. https://gpa.eastview.com/crl/elmundo/newspapers/mndo19501101-01.1.1.

Martinez, Ada. Personal interview with the author. November 17, 2024.

Puerto Rico. Isabela Municipio. 1930 U.S. Census. Digital images. http://ancestry.com.

Lopez Family Records. Courtesy of Ada Martinez.

“Truman Convierte en Ley el Bill de la Constitución Tropas E.U. Van a Posiciones de Combate Suwon.” El Mundo [San Juan, PR], July 4, 1950. https://gpa.eastview.com/crl/elmundo/newspapers/mndo19500704-01.1.1. 

Secondary Sources

Borts, Lawrence H. Medals and Ribbons: The Medals and Ribbons of The United Nations. Medals of America Press, 1998.

Jar”Calixto A. Lopez-Pinero.” Veterans Legacy Memorial, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Accessed May 9, 2025. https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/CALIXTOALOPEZ-PINERO/BD24E.

Dolcater, Captain Max W., Ed. 3d Infantry Division in Korea. Toppan Printing Company, 1953.

“Isabela Puerto Rico.” Boricua Online. 2024. Accessed November 15, 2024.  https://boricuaonline.com/en/isabela-puerto-rico/.

Marxuach, Sergio M. “The Puerto Rican Economy: Historical Perspectives and Current Challenges.” Lecture presented at Fundación Luis Muñoz Marín, San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 13, 2007. https://grupocne.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/FLMM.pdf. 

“Municipio de Isabela.” Enciclopedia de Puerto Rico, Fundación Puertorriqueña de las Humanidades. Updated 2024. Accessed November 15, 2024. https://enciclopediapr.org/content/municipio-de-morovis/. 

Soulet, Noemi Figueroa, Director. Borinqueneers: A Documentary on the all-Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment. El Pozo Productions, 2007.

Talia, Aikens-Nunez. Men of the 65th: The Borinqueneers of the Korean War. Zest Books, 2023.

“Text – H.R.1726 – 113th Congress (2013-2014): To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th Infantry Regiment, known as the Borinqueneers.” Statute. Congress.gov, June 10, 2014. Library of Congress. https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/1726/text. 

Villahermosa, Gilberto H. Honor and Fidelity: The 65th Infantry In Korea, 1950-1953. U.S. Army Center of Military History, 2009.

This profile was funded by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.