TANKER JACKET “CABALLERO”

The term "Caballeros" was used as a nickname for the 65th Infantry Regiment—a unit of the U.S. Army made up primarily of Puerto Rican soldiers, who fought bravely during World War II. The 65th Infantry Regiment was often referred to as "The Borinqueneers," but the term "Caballeros" was also used affectionately, meaning "knights" or "gentlemen" in Spanish.

In WWII, the 65th Infantry Regiment was stationed in Europe, where it participated in significant campaigns, including in Italy, France, and later in the Battle of the Bulge. The tanker jacket connection comes from the fact that during WWII, many infantry regiments, including the 65th, were supported by M4 Sherman tanks as part of combined arms operations, where tanks and infantry worked together in battle and the story goes that tanker jackets have been shared between soldiers and tank crews.

The regiment's soldiers, including those who fought with tanks, received recognition for their courage and determination. However, the 65th Infantry Regiment’s association with the Sherman tanks mainly came about during the regiment's later service in the Korean War, where they also supported tank operations with their infantry roles, though they were still heavily involved in the WWII campaigns with artillery and armored support. This jacket is a tribute to their service.