History Now Essay The Puerto Rican Experience in World War I Harry Franqui-Rivera Government and Civics Between 18,000 and 20,000 Puerto Ricans served in the United States Armed Forces during World War I. [1] Puerto Ricans have been serving in the US military since 1899, when Congress authorized the creation of the Battalion of Porto... Appears in: 53 | The Hispanic Legacy in American History Winter 2019