Update: President Barack Obama signed the legislation in Washington at 10:45 a.m.

NBC News reported that those present cheered as the president awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to several members of the Borinqueneers who are still living.

"In World War I, they defended the homeland and patrolled the Panama Canal Zone. In World War II, they fought in Europe. In Korea, they fought in mud and snow. They are the 65th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army," said Obama.

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In just a few hours President Barack Obama will sign legislation crediting Puerto Rican soldiers for their many contributions to American wars including World War I, World War II and the Korean War.

After many years of effort by Puerto Rican veterans the 65th Infantry Regiment "Borinqueneers" will receive the Congressional Gold Medal.

Gumersindo Gomez, executive director of the Bilingual Veterans Outreach Centers Of Massachusetts, Inc., a veteran and long-time advocate for getting the recognition, has spoken about this issue many times and said this is a historic event for veterans and Latinos in general especially Puerto Ricans.

Much like their fellow soldiers of color, the Tuskegee Airmen and the Navajo Code Talkers, the Borinqueneers were members of a segregated infantry regiment, established in 1899 with members serving in World War I and World War II as well as in Korea. The infantry regiment was disbanded in 1959.

Until now the Borinqueneers was the only segregated military infantry unit to have not been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

Although several veterans, including Gomez, have spent years attempting to get recognition for the infantry, it was in the past year that an organization formed specifically for the purpose.

The Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Alliance headed by Frank Medina began raising awareness about the soldiers and their contributions to American history in 2012.

Medina, of Orlando, Fla., is a 2002 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and grandson of a Borinqueneer. He took it upon himself to contact veteran’s service agencies across the country to locate living Borinqueneers. There are about 300 left, living across the country and primarily in Puerto Rico. Several are still alive in Western Massachusetts.

The legislation was sponsored by many legislators, but was led by Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico's at-large representative and U.S. Rep. William Posey.

"Finally there is justice," said Pierluisi in a prepared statement. " The 65th Infantry Regiment will join humanitarian and baseball super star Roberto Clemente as the only Latinos in history to receive the Congressional Gold Medal."

Pierlusi said it has taken a long time to get to this point, but that makes today's signing ceremony, which will be held at the White House, even more special.

"I am very proud to be a part of this effort. Honoring our veterans is a matter of appreciation and noble patriotism," he said.

The president is expected to sign the legislation around 10:30 this morning.