The Rum and Coke Outfit

The Rum and Coke OutfitThe 65th Infantry Regiment, an all Puerto Rican outfit commanded by American officers, was deemed to be an unreliable military unit dubbed with derision by the rest of the US Army as the "Rum and Coke Outfit." Relegated during World War II to mostly guard duty, it was later returned to Puerto Rico, where it was spread over the island, and reduced to two of its three battalions. In 1949, Colonel William H Harris assumed command of the outfit, deeming

The 65th Infantry Regiment, an all-Puerto Rican outfit commanded by American officers, was deemed to be an unreliable military unit dubbed with derision by the rest of the US Army as the "Rum and Coke Outfit." Relegated during World War II to mostly guard duty, it was later returned to Puerto Rico, where it was spread over the island, and reduced to two of its three battalions.

In 1949, Colonel William H Harris assumed command of the outfit, deeming it a demotion and an end to his military career. However, as he was soon to discover, he had been assigned to lead a prime military unit. Later ordered to defend the small neighboring island of Vieques in a massive military exercise from an amphibious attack by the 3rd Army Division, and outnumbered nearly ten to one, the 65th fought the invaders to a draw.

The first of three historical fiction books, The Rum and Coke Outfit covers the 65th's adventures in Puerto Rico as viewed through the eyes of Colonel Harris and several fictional characters in Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, of the legendary Regiment, up to the time it is shipped to the War in Korea.