Talk:Modesto Cartagena

Cartagena's funeral

The absence of any out-of-the-ordinary Federal presence at Cartagena's funeral, in spite of an obit in The New York Times (something few sergeants anywhere or Puerto Ricans ever achieve) suggests that the "benign neglect" that he suffered when denied a Congressional Medal of Honor is still at play. Fortunately, I'm told that McClintock attended, delivered a letter by the Governor, and even mentioned Wikipedia and Tony the Marine as PR's foremost military historian and committed himself and Fortuño to fight for the Medal of Honor. Cartagena will not be forgotten, at least not in PR! Pr4ever (talk) 12:31, 7 March 2010 (UTC)

• I was also surprised, I didn't even know until you (Pr4ever) mentioned it here. I found it and here is what he said:

Let's erase the "benign neglect"!

"On the day we were all celebrating the 93rd anniversary of Citizenship Day last March 2, Sgt. Modesto Cartagena was breathing his last breath after an illustrious military career that made him Puerto Rico's most-decorated veteran, including the prestigious Distinguished Service Cross, awarded to him for accomplishments that would have earned a white soldier in Korea the Congressional Medal of Honor.

The discrimination that Puerto Ricans, other Hispanics, Asian Americans, gays, Native Americans and African Americans suffered during the Korean War denied Modesto and other members of the famed 65th Infantry Regiment the recognition they so richly deserved.

For many years, I have not lost an opportunity to honor the Borinqueneers, and their accomplishments, not only those I've heard about for years, but those I've learned about from Puerto Rico's top military historian, Wikipedia's own Tony The Marine.

I had already penciled in my calendar Modesto's funeral and had my other engagements rearranged before Gov. Fortuño asked me to attend on his behalf and hand-deliver a letter to the family, an honor they so richly deserved for having shared their father with us.

When I arrived at the National Cemetery, five minutes before the funeral ceremony was supposed to begin, it was all over. Nothing more than basic military honors were provided to such a decorated hero, once again a manifestation of the benign neglect we all suffer in Puerto Rico. Mr. Punctuality (as some friends call me) had found someone even more punctual---Modesto Cartagena!

Nevertheless, I was able to speak to the family, deliver the letter and assure them that the efforts that Luis Fortuño began as Resident Commissioner to have the Medal of Honor awarded to Modesto would continue. Posthumous justice is better than no justice.

In death, as in life, Modesto Cartagena had once again suffered the discrimination that defines our relationship with the United States. Just as he didn't allow past discrimination keep him from struggling for future equality, so won't we.

May Sgt. Modesto Cartagena continue inspiring us all to continue his struggle that began in the snowy hills of Korea and has yet to end."

Kenneth D. McClintock March 5, 2010

Tony the Marine (talk) 00:39, 8 March 2010 (UTC)

Medal of Honor

I was just wondering if anyone knew of any current information concerning the Medal of Honor for such a great man.

I noticed there was an issue with two links (I marked as dead) and some of the information is outdated here. I restructured two quotes so the references would be inline. Otr500 (talk) 02:06, 23 May 2011 (UTC)

• As of late, the Medal of Honor has been denied. If you think that sucks, you should read the story of PFC Guy Gabaldon. Tony the Marine (talk) 02:18, 23 May 2011 (UTC)

US Army Ribbons

The US Army Service Ribbon and the US Army Overseas Ribbon....criteria states the soldier must be on active reserve or active duty as of the awards inception in 1981 which the fine man was not....the story says he retired in 1971. So based on that date he is not supposed to be wearing them. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.196.133.125 (talk) 04:08, 12 January 2012 (UTC)

• Those awards are retroactive. You can view the awards on his uniform in the picture of the article. Tony the Marine (talk) 14:51, 12 January 2012 (UTC)

Sources

Marine 69-71, do you know if there is a better source for the statement that Cartagena is the most decorated Puerto Rican? The source you added looks to be an internet forum. Per WP:NOTRELIABLE this likely is not a reliable source. Wow, I sure do hope that the effort to get this amazing soldier the MOH is successful. Ocalafla (talk) 15:00, 7 August 2012 (UTC)

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