President Barack Obama on Tuesday awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to a segregated U.S. Army unit made up of Puerto Rican soldiers who served during World War I, World War II and Korea.

The majority of the soldiers who belonged to the 65th Infantry Regiment, known as the Borinqueneers, which comes from the country's native name, have passed away but the remaining troops received one of the nation's highest honors at a ceremony in the White House.

"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 the mud and snow. They are the 65th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army," President Obama said.

NBC News reported that remaining soldiers -- Celestino Cordova, Rafael Gomez-Hernandez, Leonardo Martinez, Jose Pickard, Miguel Piñiero, Ramon Rodriguez, Federico Simmons and Arcadio Santiago -- attended Tuesday's ceremony and were met with a standing ovation after receiving their honors.

Several of Puerto Rico's congressional members along with Hispanic American leaders and lawmakers came out to view the 65th Infantry receive their long-awaited medals. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) co-sponsored the bill to recognize the soldiers.

Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi, who is a non-voting delegate in Congress, said Puerto Rican soldiers have a long history of fighting alongside American troops and still do today.

"The signing ceremony served to underscore a broader point, namely that, for generations, from World War I almost a century ago to Afghanistan today, U.S. citizens from Puerto Rico have built a rich and distinguished record of military service," Pierluisi said. "If you visit any U.S. military installation, you will see men and women from Puerto Rico, fighting to keep this nation safe, strong and free."

Prior to the war in Korea, there had been 10 Distinguished Service Crosses, roughly 250 Silver Stars, more than 600 Bronze stars and 3,000 Purple Hearts awarded to soldiers of the infantry, NBC reported.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Ruben Hinojosa said the awards ceremony was a way to draw attention to the impact many Hispanic soldiers have had in serving for the U.S. military.

"Hispanic veterans have always been, and continue to be, part of the American story," Hinojosa said.