Sergeant First Class (Ret) Modesto Cartagena
12/2/2000
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Modesto Cartagena was the most decorated Hispanic soldier of the Korean War. He was born to a poor family who lived in the small town of Cayey, Puerto Rico. He was among the first from the island to volunteer for military service when the United States entered World War II. He served in the 65th Infantry Regiment, a Puerto Rican regiment also known as “The Borinqueneers,” during World War II and later in the Korean War.
During the Korean War, Cartagena earned the nickname “One Man Army.” On April 19, 1951, Hill 206 near Yonchon, Korea, was heavily guarded by a well-entrenched and determined hostile force. While under attack, Cartagena destroyed four enemy emplacements before he was wounded, saving the lives of the men in his unit and enabling the company to take the hill.
Cartagena was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions in Korea. Among his many other military decorations were the Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He was also awarded the Military Medal of Honor of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico.
Cartagena spent 20 years in the Army before retiring as a sergeant first class in 1971. As a part of his legacy, January 4, 2007 was officially declared as “SFC Modesto Cartagena Day” in Hartford, Connecticut. An avenue in his native town of Cayey is also named after him. Cartagena died on March 2, 2010, in Guayama, Puerto Rico, following a long battle with stomach cancer.
The original caption for this photograph reads: Korean war veteran, Sergeant First Class (Ret) Modesto Cartagena, one of the highest decorated men of the conflict, during a ceremony being held at the US Army Reserve center in Puerto Nuevo, Puerto Rico, marking the presentation of a plaque honoring the bravery and sacrifice of all veterans of the Korean War. Much praise was given to members of the fighting 65th Infantry veterans, who were some of the most highly decorated soldiers of the Korean War
During the Korean War, Cartagena earned the nickname “One Man Army.” On April 19, 1951, Hill 206 near Yonchon, Korea, was heavily guarded by a well-entrenched and determined hostile force. While under attack, Cartagena destroyed four enemy emplacements before he was wounded, saving the lives of the men in his unit and enabling the company to take the hill.
Cartagena was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions in Korea. Among his many other military decorations were the Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He was also awarded the Military Medal of Honor of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico.
Cartagena spent 20 years in the Army before retiring as a sergeant first class in 1971. As a part of his legacy, January 4, 2007 was officially declared as “SFC Modesto Cartagena Day” in Hartford, Connecticut. An avenue in his native town of Cayey is also named after him. Cartagena died on March 2, 2010, in Guayama, Puerto Rico, following a long battle with stomach cancer.
The original caption for this photograph reads: Korean war veteran, Sergeant First Class (Ret) Modesto Cartagena, one of the highest decorated men of the conflict, during a ceremony being held at the US Army Reserve center in Puerto Nuevo, Puerto Rico, marking the presentation of a plaque honoring the bravery and sacrifice of all veterans of the Korean War. Much praise was given to members of the fighting 65th Infantry veterans, who were some of the most highly decorated soldiers of the Korean War
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
National Archives Identifier: 6519402
Full Citation: Photograph 330-CFD-DA-SD-02-09193.jpeg; Korean war veteran, Sergeant First Class (Ret) Modesto Cartagena; 12/2/2000; Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files, 1982 - 2007; Records of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Record Group 330; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/modesto-cartagena, March 29, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.