Puerto Rico National Guard

The history of the Puerto Rico National Guard goes back to its predecessor the Puerto Rican Militia of Spanish times.

By Royal Decree, signed by King Ferdinand of Spain on August 14, 1509, the explorer and first settler of the island, Don Juan Ponce De Leon, was appointed the first Governor of Puerto Rico. A second Royal Decree appointed Ponce De Leon "Captain of Land and Sea" of the Island of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 2, 1510.

Under authority of his commission as "Captain of Land and Sea," Ponce De Leon proceeded to organize his small number of settlers for the conquest of the island, since no regular Spanish troops were available. In two brilliant campaign know in the History of Puerto Rico as the First and Second Indian Wars, Ponce De Leon subdued the Indian population and conquered the island for Spain. Because of continued attacks by the Caribbean Indians from other islands, Ponce De Leon organized his military forces into the "Boriquen (old Indian name for Puerto Rico) Regiment." Thus, this regiment, the first officially organized in the island, became the first unit of the Puerto Rican Militia, and Ponce De Leon its first Commanding Officer. The Puerto Rico National Guard, as successor of the Puerto Rican Militia, claims the honor and distinction of having has as its first Commanding Officer, the first explorer, the Conquer and first Governor of Puerto Rico, and Discover of Florida; Captain Juan Ponce De Leon.

The two Indian wars for the conquest of the island and the war against the Caribbean Indians were fought and won by the Puerto Rican Militia. With the growing importance of the island as stopping place for ships from Mexico and other Spanish domains, Spain commenced the fortification of the island by 1527, sending regular troops to defend Puerto Rico from her European enemies.

During the four centuries that followed, the Puerto Rican Militia fought side by side of the Spanish regulars against Sir Francis Drake in 1595, against Cumberland in 1597, Boudynd Henrico in 1625, and in numerous attacks by English, French, and Danish pirates.

In 1759, the Militias were reorganized by Marshall Alejandro O'Reilly, a most able soldier, known in Puerto Rican history as "The Father of the Militias" and from then on were known as the "Milicias Discplinadas." As such they took part in the third war against the English in 1797 and distinguished themselves so much as to merit the highest commendation from the Spanish Crown.

By 1868 many of the Spanish possessions were fighting for their independence. In Puerto Rico there was a revolutionary outburst at Lares. The Spanish Government being afraid of the general situation in America, decided, in 1869, to disband the Puerto Rican Militia, composed mainly of native Puerto Ricans. Accordingly the Militias were substituted by the "Institute de Voluntarios" composed entirely of Spaniards and their sons. Thus it came to happen that the American troops who invaded Puerto Rico in the Spanish-American War were not opposed by any Puerto Rican troops. Most of the native population sympathized with the Americans and many Puerto Ricans cooperated with the invading forces serving as scouts, interpreters, etc.

During the first World War, the Puerto Ricans served in the 42nd and 65th Regular regiments and the 373, 374, and 375 of the National Army. About 20,000 troops received training at Camp Las Casas. The necessity of a National Guard became apparent and a Puerto Rican officer of the Regular Army, who had been on duty with the Puerto Rican Officers Training Camps took the matter up with Gov. Arthur Yager immediately after the war. His efforts with the Governor and the Insular Legislature were successful and lead to the organization of the Puerto Rican National Guard in 1919. The officer, Major General Luis Raul Esteves, was the first Commanding Officer of the Puerto Rico National Guard, and its Adjutant General from 1938 to the date of his retirement on June 30, 1957. The first Adjutant was Major John A. Wilson, who served until his death in 1938. General Esteves died on the March 12, 1958 and the new ten unit armory at Roosevelt Avenue, Hato Rey, was named in honor of this great soldier, the father of the modern Puerto Rico National Guard.

In October 1940 the 295th RCT's were called to active Federal service and upon the entrance of the United States in World War II both participated as units in the American Pacific and Asiatic theaters of operations. Large numbers of members of the two units were also sent as individual replacements to the 65th Infantry in Puerto Rico, which was sent to the Far East. Although the unit as such did not participate in the Korean Conflict, there was hardly a member of the 296th RCT who was, as an individual, did not see action in the Korean War, either as replacements for 65th casualties, or to cover vacancies in that unit resulting from the rotation system.