Filipino Veterans of World War II Bronze Medal 1.5-Inch

On July 26, 1941, as tensions with Japan rose in the Pacific, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an order to “call into service of the United States… all of the organized military forces of the Government of the Philippines.” Within a day of this order the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) was established under General Douglas MacArthur. During the Philippine campaigns from July 1941 to December 1946, Filipinos, Filipino-Americans, and Americans served under USAFFE command.

The United States remains forever indebted to the bravery, valor, and dedication that the Filipino Veterans of World War II displayed. Their commitment and sacrifice demonstrate a highly uncommon and commendable sense of patriotism and honor.

The obverse design displays part of the range and breadth of the Filipino Veterans’ involvement in World War II. A Filipino scout, a Filipino infantry regiment officer, and a guerrilla soldier are depicted. An infantryman on guard appears in the foreground, symbolizing the soldiers’ fierce determination. The design features the inscription “FILIPINO VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II.”

The reverse design displays both the American and Filipino World War II-era flags. “UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES IN THE FAR EAST” is inscribed along the top border of the design. The inscription “DUTY TO COUNTRY” and the key locations of “BATAAN & CORREGIDOR,” “LUZON,” “LEYTE,” and “SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES” are featured centrally. The significant years of “1941,” “1945,” and “1946” are inscribed on a scroll between the flags. “ACT OF CONGRESS 2016” is inscribed along the bottom of the design.