Filipino Veterans receive the Congressional Gold Medal

Source: U.S. Mint

After 75 years, the United States finally recognized the Filipino veterans who fought with the American forces during the Second World War.

The Congressional Gold Medal was finally collectively awarded to the Filipino Veterans of World War II on 25 October 2017 at the Emancipation Hall of the U.S. Capitol. 

These Filipino Veterans served honorably in an active duty status between 26 July 1941 and 31 December 1946 under the command of the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) within the Philippine Commonwealth Army, the Philippine Scouts, the Philippine Constabulary, recognized guerrilla units, the New Philippine Scouts, the First Filipino Infantry Regiment, the Second Filipino Infantry Battalion (Separate), or the First Reconnaissance Battalion, including those commanding or serving as U.S. military officers or enlisted soldiers.

Ceres Cawagas Busa receiving her father's medal from MGen. Antonio Taguba, US Army, ret.
(Photo courtesy of Sonny & Ceres Busa)

A personal note: one of the posthumous awardees was one of my father's good buddies, a popular teacher in my youth, Death March survivor Pantaleon Cawagas. His daughter Ceres Cawagas Busa received his award from retired US Army Major General Antonio Taguba during the ceremony.

The medal was designed and struck by the United States Mint. Its obverse side displays part of the range and breadth of the Filipino Veterans’ service in World War II. It shows a Filipino scout, a Filipino infantry regiment officer, and a guerrilla soldier. In the foreground is an infantryman on guard, symbolizing the soldiers’ fierce determination. “FILIPINO VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II” is inscribed.

The reverse side displays both the American and Filipino World War II-era flags. The design includes these inscriptions: “UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES IN THE FAR EAST” along the top border, “DUTY TO COUNTRY” and the key locations of “BATAAN & CORREGIDOR,” “LUZON,” “LEYTE,” and “SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES” in the central area, “ACT OF CONGRESS 2016” along the bottom, and upon a scroll between the flags, the significant years of “1941,” “1945,” and “1946.”

The 114^th Congress of the U.S. passed the Public Law No. 114-265 or the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015 on 14 December 2016. Section 4 of this law provides that “President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall make appropriate arrangements for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the Filipino Veterans of World War II in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II. The medal, following its award, shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution where it will be available for research and display. It is the sense of Congress that the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal available for display elsewhere, particularly at other appropriate locations associated with the Filipino Veterans of World War II.”

The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the highest civilian awards bestowed by the U.S. Congress as an expression of gratitude for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals, groups, or institutions.

In recent years, the Medal has been awarded to recognize the services rendered during World War II of the 100^th Infantry Battalion, the 442^nd Regimental Combat, and the Military Intelligence Service (awarded in 2010); First Special Service Force (2013); Members of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders (2014); WWII members of the Civil Air Patrol (2014); and “Monuments Men” (2014).

P.S. A 3-inch bronze copy of the medal can be bought from US Mint at $39.95.