CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The family of Sgt. 1st Class Angel Adames-Arce came together Saturday to recognize his military service with the U.S. Army’s 65th Infantry Regiment, and to posthumously receive his Congressional Gold Medal.
The family was presented a bronze replica of the Congressional Gold Medal, which was awarded collectively to the 65th Infantry Regiment by Congress on April 13, 2016.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award given by Congress, and the original medal is on display at the National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The all-Puerto Rican unit, known as the Borinqueneers, fought with gallantry and valor in the Korean War. They were the first Hispanic unit and the only unit from the Korean War to receive the Congressional Gold Medal.
Adames-Arce was born in 1923 in San Sebastian, Puerto, Rico and died in 2011 in Clarksville. He was married to Eduvigis (Helen) Nieves and they had 11 children together. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and was assigned to the 65th Infantry Regiment. During his time in the military, he served two tours of duty in Korea, two tours in Germany, and a combat deployment to Vietnam until his retirement in 1971 at Fort Campbell.
Close to 80 family members and friends attended the ceremony at the Immaculate Conception Family Life Center, with the medal presented by retired Brig. Gen. Scott E. Brower.
Adames-Arce’s son, Leo Adames, said the family had bits and pieces about their dad’s military career throughout the years. They had found some letters that referred to his military experiences, but he didn’t talk about it very much.
They only found out about the Congressional Gold Medal for his father’s military unit last year. “It brings the whole family together. It gives us even more depth who we are as a family and who my dad was. It is incredible to take this time and honor him, and also honor our mother,” Adames said.
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