Henry Barracks, Puerto Rico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Henry Barracks |
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|---|---|
| Cayey, Puerto Rico | |
65th Infantry coat of arms
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| Type | Former Military Base |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Formerly by the U.S. Army |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1898 |
| In use | 1898-1965 |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | 65th Infantry Regiment |
Henry Barracks was an important United States Army base in Cayey, Puerto Rico. It was named after Major General Guy Vernon Henry, who was the third Military Governor of Puerto Rico and received the Medal of Honor.
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The History of Henry Barracks
This military base is located in the Central Mountain range of Puerto Rico. It is about 25 miles (40 km) from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
From Spanish to U.S. Control
The Spanish army controlled this base until 1898. That year, during the Spanish–American War, United States Armed Forces took over. It then became a post for the Puerto Rico Voluntary Regiment. By 1908, it was a U.S. Army infantry base for the 65th Infantry Regiment. In 1900, the site was officially renamed Henry Barracks.
Base Layout and Changes
When it started, the base covered about 440 acres (1.8 square kilometers) on the east side of Cayey. It had three main areas:
- The Spanish Camp, also called Hospital Hill (15 acres).
- The main Henry Barracks post (372 acres), which was home to the 65th Infantry Regiment's third Battalion.
- The United States Navy Cayey Naval Radio Station (67 acres).
By 1920, Henry Barracks became a smaller post connected to Fort Brooke in San Juan. The 65th Infantry's First Battalion was stationed there.
Serving in Major Wars
Soldiers from the 65th Infantry Regiment were sent from Henry Barracks to fight in World War II and the Korean War. Many of these brave soldiers were native Puerto Ricans.
Hurricane San Felipe's Impact
In 1928, Hurricane San Felipe hit Puerto Rico hard. It destroyed many of the wooden buildings at the base. Because of the damage, the Navy left Cayey and moved to Naval Air Station Isla Grande in San Juan. The U.S. Army then took over all the land the Navy used to have. New, stronger buildings were built at Henry Barracks in 1929.
New Troops Arrive
After the Korean War, the U.S. Army brought in troops who were not from Puerto Rico. Locals in Cayey called them "Continentals." At that time, the combat troops at Henry Barracks included an artillery battalion and a heavy mortar company.
Closing the Base
In 1953, the U.S. Army decided that Henry Barracks would close soon. The Army slowly moved out, and by 1965, the base was officially closed. It was then given to the General Services Administration to be decommissioned.
What Happened to the Land?
The military cemetery at Henry Barracks stopped being used in 1965. The graves were moved to the Puerto Rico National Cemetery. Most of the land and buildings were given to the University of Puerto Rico. This led to the opening of the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey campus in 1967. Other parts of the base were given to the town of Cayey and turned into sports facilities for the community.
National Guard Presence
The military kept one part of the Henry Barracks army base. This area is now used by the Puerto Rico National Guard. It is home to the 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment Headquarters, and the 105th Forward Support Company. This National Guard post has a heliport, maintenance shops, offices, and a PX store. These facilities are mostly used for monthly training drills.
Army ROTC Program
The University of Puerto Rico at Cayey hosted the U.S. Army Reserve Officers Training Course (ROTC) program. This program was located on a site within the former Henry Barracks base. The Army ROTC had an office, several classrooms, an obstacle course, and a rappelling tower for training future officers.
Honoring Veterans
A special monument stands near the former Henry Barracks housing area. This monument honors Military Veterans from Cayey. Also, one of the main roads of the old Army base was renamed Avenida Los Veteranos, which means Veterans Avenue.
