Honor and Fidelity
Cal Guard pilot renders overdue honors for Gold Star Family 72 years later
Story by Sgt. Marla Ogden
California Military Department Public Affairs
Oct. 4, 2023
Los Angeles — Amidst the ocean’s cool summer breeze, an assembly of Soldiers stood stoic in their pressed uniforms. The bugler’s breath delivered notes that pierced the air at the Santa Monica Veterans Memorial. All eyes were fixed on the flag's iconic stars and stripes as they were methodically folded with precision.
93-year-old Patrice Berluti sat in the front row as one of the Honor Guard Soldiers kneeled to present the folded flag. Bowing her head, Berluti was able to finally embrace the flag representing her brother’s honor and sacrifice, nearly 72 years after his death.
The July 20, 2023 ceremony honoring U.S. Army Pfc. Torrent’s ultimate sacrifice would not have been possible if not for California National Guard’s U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 RJ Zanon, a pilot assigned to the 40th Infantry Division's 1st Assault Helicopter Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment.
Torrent, hailing from Coamo, Puerto Rico, answered the call for duty in 1950 and was sent to the frontlines of the Korean War as an infantryman in the famous all-Hispanic 65th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the "Borinqueneers."
Zanon received the request to formally present Torrent's sister with the Purple Heart and Congressional Gold Medal from Torrent's nephew, retired U.S. Army Col. Fernando Torrent.
“He called me with the request on July 12th, so there wasn’t a lot of time to get everything organized,” Zanon said. “Despite the incredibly short timeline, I was able to work with California Guard agencies like Honor Guard and a couple of recruiting stations to make it happen.”
Torrent, described by his family as a devoted patriot and family man, was fatally wounded during the last battalion-sized bayonet charge in U.S. Army history, succumbing to his wounds on March 23, 1951.
Due to family hardships, a ceremony honoring Torrent’s life didn’t occur following his death.
Adding to the tribulations, Torrent’s service records were destroyed in the 1973 National Personnel Records Center fire that left roughly 80 percent of World War II and Korean War Army veterans without official documentation of their military service.
The Borinqueneers, honoring the Indigenous Taíno name for their homeland, Borikén, fought in nine out of 10 campaigns during the Korean War and were the sole unit to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. Today, they are recognized for their pioneering military service, devotion to duty and acts of valor since the unit’s inception in 1899.
"I thought, 'How can I not only get the awards but present them to the family he has left?" Col. Torrent said.
In 2019, after two years of relentless research efforts, Col. Torrent successfully pieced together his uncle's service records.
At the same time, Zanon was in flight school, rooming with the colonel's son, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Fernando Torrent.
"Being roommates throughout flight school, I was able to learn a lot about his family," said Zanon.
"He spoke very highly of his father and great uncle and that Puerto Rican pride is a force to be reckoned with, especially when military service runs deep in the veins of their family."
Chief Warrant Officers RJ Zanon and Fernando Torrent at Torrent's flight school graduation, at Fort Novosel in Alabama.
Chief Warrant Officers RJ Zanon and Fernando Torrent at Torrent's flight school graduation, at Fort Novosel in Alabama.
In November 2019, Col. Torrent had the honor of presenting the Purple Heart to his own father, who was Pfc. Torrent's brother, during his son's graduation from flight school. Regrettably, due to Berluti's advanced age, she was unable to make the journey from California to Fort Novosel in Alabama.
"Being there and hearing Pfc. Torrent's story made me understand its significance," Zanon said.
Col. Torrent assured his aunt, "Don't worry Titi, I’m going to make this happen.’” Yet, the COVID-19 Pandemic had other plans.
Years later, as society regained normalcy, Col. Torrent faced challenges reaching anyone in California to arrange the ceremony. It was at that moment that he recalled Zanon, his son's dear friend, was a member of the California National Guard.
"When Col. Torrent called me asking for help with the presentation of the award to his Aunt, I had to make sure it would be above all expectations," said Zanon.
Assisted by the California Honor Guard, Zanon transformed what was initially intended to be a Purple Heart ceremony into a ceremony with full military honors.
“That guy right there, he’s incredible, just amazing,” said Col. Torrent, referring to Zanon's efforts.
Zanon said, "For myself, the opportunity to assist in an event like this was incredibly rewarding; not only because of the importance of the awards, but because of the level of appreciation from the family. In all, this ceremony is something I’ll never forget."
"Puerto Rican pride is a force to be reckoned with, especially when military service runs deep in the veins of their family."
Photo of U.S. Army Pfc. Fernando Torrent circa 1950.
Photo of U.S. Army Pfc. Fernando Torrent circa 1950.
The 65th Infantry Division "Borinqueneers" Congressional Gold Medal, awarded by President Barack Obama.
The 65th Infantry Division "Borinqueneers" Congressional Gold Medal, awarded by President Barack Obama.
Col. Torrent presents the Purple Heart to his father, Pfc. Fernando Torrent's brother, at his own son's flight school graduation ceremony.
Col. Torrent presents the Purple Heart to his father, Pfc. Fernando Torrent's brother, at his own son's flight school graduation ceremony.
Retired Col. Fernando Torrent, Patrice Berluti and Chief Warrant Officer 2 RJ Zanon pose for a photo at the Santa Monica Veterans Memorial, July 20, 2023.
Retired Col. Fernando Torrent, Patrice Berluti and Chief Warrant Officer 2 RJ Zanon pose for a photo at the Santa Monica Veterans Memorial, July 20, 2023.
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