Juan César Cordero Dávila

Major General Juan César Cordero Dávila (June 6, 1904 – July 20, 1965), was the commanding officer of the 65th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War, rising to become one of the highest ranking ethnic officers in the United States Army.

Early years
Cordero Dávila, born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, lived in the San Juan Metropolitan Area, where he received his primary and secondary education. After he graduated from high school he was accepted at the "Colegio de Agricultura y Artes Mecanicas" (CAAM) (now the University of Puerto Rico) at Mayagüez, where he 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

World War II
Cordero Dávila was assigned to the 65th Infantry Regiment at Camp Las Casas in Santurce, Puerto Rico. In 1942, the regiment underwent an extensive training program and in 1943, 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 Dávila, then a Lieutenant Colonel, relieved the 2nd Battalion of the Japanese-American 442nd "Nisei" Infantry Regiment which was under the command of fellow Puerto Rican Col. Virgil R. Miller. 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.

Cordero-Dávila 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.

Korean War
When World War II came to an end, Cordero Dávila 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 Infantry.

On August 26, 1950, the 65th Infantry under the command of Colonel Julian C. Lindsey, left Puerto Rico for Pusan, Korea and arrived there 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 Dávila, 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 attack, Cordero Dávila exposed himself to enemy fire and helped to evacuate the wounded men of Company "C" and guide them to safety. Cordero Dávila, a Bronze Star recipient, was awarded the Silver Star for his actions. 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 1952, the 65th Infantry was holding on to a hill known as "Outpost Kelly". The Chinese People's Volunteer Army forces, which had joined the North Koreans, overran the hill in what became known as the Battle for Outpost Kelly. Twice the 65th Regiment was overwhelmed by Chinese artillery and driven off.

Col. Juan César Cordero Dávila 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.*

Silver Star citation
SILVER STAR '' HEADQUARTERS 3D INFANTRY DIVISION  GENERAL ORDERS #303 - 23 September 1952   Citation:  Colonel Juan C. Cordero, 0222751, Infantry, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Army.

on July 20, 1952, Company "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 necessity for the company to effect an orderly withdrawal and evacuate the wounded, 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 ensure 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.

Later years
Cordero Dávila retired from active duty in the regular Army 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 it returned to Puerto Rico in 1956. General Cordero Dávila, 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. On July 20, 1965, Major General Juan César Cordero Dávila died in an airplane related accident. He was buried at the Puerto Rico National Cemetery with full military honors on July 22 and was survived by his wife Elvira Rubell and three children.

Legacy
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.

Military awards and decorations
Among Cordero Dávila's decorations were the following:

Badges: Foreign decoration
 * Combat Infantry Badge.svg Combat Infantryman Badge

The 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.
 * Greek Cross of Valour ribbon.png Chryssoun Aristion Andrias (Bravery Gold Medal of Greece)