Commemorative Ring from the United States Army
Title
Subject
Hispanic American soldiers
Hispanic American veterans
Soldiers—United States
United States. Army—Infantry
United States. Army—Medals, badges, decorations, etc.
Veterans—United States
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Description
This commemorative ring was given to the contributor for his service in the United States Army. As an Infantryman, he received this ring for his service during the Vietnam War. The ring is 1 inch in diameter, metal and gold in color except for a large dark blue stone set in the top. The style of ring is similar to that of a “class ring.” Around the stone, the words “United States Army” are embossed. One either side of the ring, the words “Wolf Pack” and “US” (United States) are also embossed along with an unidentifiable design. Puerto Rican soldiers were integral in solidifying the relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico.
The United States Military and Puerto Rico have always had a close relationship. This dates back all the way to the beginning of Puerto Rico’s status as a United States Territory in 1989 from the Spanish American War. World War II, though, began a relationship that sought to benefit Puerto Rico in more nuanced ways, like socioeconomics and public opinion of being a United States Territory. As Puerto Rican military mobilization ramped up during World War II, it continued to rise through the 1950’s with the Korean Conflict. The mobilization of the military was a bargaining chip for Puerto Rico, which sought more economic, developmental and infrastructural assistance from its colonial benefactor. The United States equally benefitted by having a territory outside the United States that could be federally controlled but people of and the country of Puerto Rico were still free to develop their country maintain their culture. This was confirmed on November 7, 1975 with the Compact of Perfect Union.
Felix (the contributor) was an active Infantryman in the Vietnam War, which ended in 1975, around the same time the Compart of Perfect Union was set into law. He received this ring as a commemorative item and has worn the ring daily since he received it. The importance to him personally is that of his time serving in Vietnam.
This relationship benefitted Puerto Ricans and the United States. During the 1970’s when factory jobs and labor were on the decline, a wave of Puerto Rican citizens moved to New England. Chain migration brought desperately sought labor to these manufacturing jobs. Felix (the contributor) in particular, moved to New York 1978, when the Puerto Rican population was booming. He later moved to New Britain in 1990 to work at Pratt and Whitney, manufacturers of airplane engines.
Barber, Llana. Latino City: Immigration and Urban Crisis in Lawrence, Massachusetts, 1945–2000. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2017.
Franqui-Rivera, Harry. Soldiers of the Nation: Military Service and Modern Puerto Rico, 1868-1952. Lincoln and London: University of Nebraska Press, 2018.
US President. 1975. Puerto Rico. “Compact of Perfect Union, November 7, 1975.” www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/document/0010/1554456.pdf
Vázquez-Hernández, V., and C. Whalen. The Puerto Rican Diaspora: Historical Perspectives. Book Collections on Project MUSE. Temple University Press, 2008. https://books.google.com/books?id=6W7rYQvSK-AC.