Same can be said for Filipinos (see their courageous service in WWII under MacArthur), Samoans, and other current and former Colonials who have served honorably in our armed forces. We should be honored to have such folks serving our country.
Nevertheless, Puerto Ricans (those born and raised on the island) are not CULTURALLY American. They speak Spanish as a first language, watch Univision or Telemundo, play dominoes instead of poker, and actually enjoy dancing. I could go on and on.
The Puerto Ricans from San Ignacio Prep that I went to college with did not consider themselves to be Americans/gringos. That's the way it is.
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Apples and peaches. The Filipinos in WW2 were fighting to free their own country. Filipinos can't be drafted (how many died in Korea 1950-53 or VN 1963-73?). Filipinos are not dying in US uniforms in Iraq. How many Filipinos are currently at WRAMC learning how to walk again?
Funny...I was always considered by many of my family and friends to be a "gringo" because I spoke English better than 99% of the population, can't understand how to play dominoes, certainly can't dance very well, and I can't stand watching Telemundo or Univision...in fact, I was the main reason my folks got cable TV as soon as it became available in my neighborhood in Puerto Rico, and I lived there my first 24 years. In fact, I even went to college in Puerto Rico. Remember the old proverb: all generalizations are false, including this one.