Category: Post-WW2 Medals

The Philippine Liberation Medal

The Philippine Liberation Medal was created in 1944 and presented to those who participated in the liberation of the Philippine Islands.

The Philippine Liberation Medal, a military honor of the Republic of the Philippines, was established by an order from the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines Headquarters on December 20, 1944, initially known as the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. This decoration was bestowed upon any service member, whether from the Philippine Commonwealth or allied militaries, who partook in the liberation of the Philippine Islands spanning from October 17, 1944, to September 2, 1945. A full-sized medal was later authorized and introduced on July 22, 1945.

The purpose of the Philippine Liberation Medal is to acknowledge military service during the final eleven months of World War II, marked by the expulsion of the Japanese military from the Philippines preceding their surrender in September 1945.

The Philippine Liberation Medal Criteria

To qualify for the Philippine Liberation Medal, a service member must have fulfilled one of the following conditions:

  1. Participation in the initial landing operation of Leyte and adjacent islands occurring from October 17 to 20, 1944. This entails being part of the landing forces on Leyte or adjacent islands, serving aboard a vessel in Philippine waters, or being a crew member of an aircraft that flew over Philippine territory during that period.
  2. Engagement in any combat against hostile Japanese forces on Leyte and adjacent islands throughout the Philippine Liberation Campaign from October 17, 1944, to September 2, 1945.
  3. Participation in any combat against hostile Japanese forces on islands beyond the aforementioned ones during the Philippine Liberation Campaign from October 17, 1944, to September 2, 1945.
  4. Service in the Philippine Islands or aboard ships in Philippine waters for a minimum of 30 days within the specified period.

Individuals awarded the medal for their involvement in any of the above operations are entitled to add a bronze 3⁄16″ service star to the Philippine Liberation Medal for each additional qualifying action.

Members of the United States Armed Forces, including the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine Constabulary, were also eligible for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, often accompanied by a service star, for their participation in the liberation of the Philippines.

The Philippine Defense Medal

The Philippine Defense Medal is a military decoration awarded to recognize the initial resistance against Japanese invasion 1941-1942.

The Philippine Defense Medal, a military decoration of the Republic of the Philippines, acknowledges the initial resistance against the Japanese invasion spanning from December 8, 1941, to June 15, 1942.

Initially established as the Philippine Defense Ribbon in December 1944, it was later upgraded to a full-sized medal in July 1945.

The Philippine Defense Medal was awarded to United States and Philippine Commonwealth troops who defended the Philippines at Bataan and subsequently endured the Bataan Death March.

The Philippine Defense Medal Criteria

The Philippine Defense Medal is bestowed upon any service member, whether from the Philippine military or an allied armed force, who took part in defending the Philippine Islands during the specified period. This includes engagement against the enemy on Philippine territory, in Philippine waters, or in the airspace above. Individuals qualify if they:

(A) Participated in any engagement against the enemy, such as:

  1. Serving in the defense garrison of the Bataan Peninsula or fortified islands at the entrance to Manila Bay.
  2. Being present with a unit under enemy fire or air attack.
  3. Serving on a ship under enemy fire or air attack.
  4. Being a crewmember or passenger in an aircraft under enemy aerial or ground fire.

(B) Were assigned or stationed in Philippine territory or waters for at least 30 days during the period.

(C) Those meeting the conditions of (A) and (B) are authorized to wear a bronze service star on the ribbon.

The Armed Forces Conduct Medal (Philippines)

The Armed Forces Conduct Medal is a military decoration warded to enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces for serving two successive terms.

The Armed Forces Conduct Medal is a military honor conferred by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

It is granted to enlisted members who have completed two consecutive terms of service without any disciplinary infractions on their record.

The Military Commendation Medal (Philippines)

The Military Commendation Medal is a military decoration presented for exemplary execution of military duty.

The Military Commendation Medal is bestowed upon members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in recognition of their outstanding performance of military duties.

As for its design, the medal takes the form of an upward-pointing, bronze-colored three-pointed star, with a small five-pointed star positioned at its center. Adorning the bottom of the star is a golden wreath, which extends upwards, passing under and appearing between the arms of the star.

It is worn suspended from a green ribbon featuring three wide central stripes in white.

The Military Civic Action Medal

The Military Civic Action Medal is a military decoration awarded for meritorious achievement in the conduct of humanitarian civic actions.

The Military Civic Action Medal, a distinction within the Armed Forces of the Philippines, acknowledges commendable efforts in executing humanitarian civic actions that directly support military operations.

This medal is conferred upon both military and civilian members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and may extend to allied foreign nationals. It recognizes outstanding achievements in civic action either as part of duty responsibilities or in direct aid to military operations.

Awarding Authority Recipients of the Military Civic Action Medal are selected by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Area Commanders, Armed Forces of the Philippines-Wide Support and Separate Units, as well as Commanders of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, or Philippine Air Force. Division and Brigade commanders, along with their counterparts in the Philippine Air Force and Navy, also possess the authority to bestow this honor.

The Military Civic Action Medal Design

The medal features a golden disc depicting a stylized image of a gear held aloft by a pair of hands, encircled by a green wreath on its front. Behind the medal, four rays extend in the cardinal directions, overlapping the wreath.

It hangs from a blue ribbon, featuring a central green stripe flanked on either side by equal stripes of white and red

The Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal Medal

The Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal Medal is a military decoration awarded to the personnel of the Philippine’s Armed Forces.

The Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal is a military honor bestowed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

It is conferred upon members of the Armed Forces in recognition of exceptional contributions to non-military endeavors such as community development programs, or other related activities deserving of commendation.

The Military Merit Medal (Philippines)

The Military Merit Medal is awarded for heroic achievement or meritorious service during, or in support of military action against an enemy.

The Military Merit Medal is a military honor bestowed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, recognizing acts of heroism or commendable service rendered during military operations against an adversary.

The Military Merit Medal Criteria

Recipients of the Military Merit Medal include military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The criteria for eligibility are diverse, encompassing heroic deeds in combat as well as meritorious service unrelated to direct engagement with the enemy, provided such service significantly contributes to military operations against a Philippine adversary. The actions or services considered must be performed with exceptional distinction.

Authority to award the Military Merit Medal lies with high-ranking officials such as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Area Commanders, Commanders of the Philippine Army, Navy, or Air Force, and Division and major subordinate unit commanders holding at least the rank of Brigadier General.

The medal may be awarded posthumously to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who perish either in combat against a Philippine enemy or as a direct consequence of enemy actions, while serving in any capacity within the armed forces.

The Military Merit Medal Design

The medal adopts an irregular shape resembling a downward-pointing equilateral triangle, featuring red enamel. Positioned at each point of the triangle are gold stars. At the center of the triangle lies the “Philippines sun,” depicted in gold with eight pointed rays. Encircling and partially concealed by the triangle is a green laurel wreath, visible between each of its points.

For suspension, the medal employs a green ribbon embellished with three narrow red stripes running centrally.

The Wounded Personnel Medal (Philippines)

The Wounded Personnel Medal is a decoration awarded to military of and civilians who are injured or killed in combat with the enemy.

The Wounded Personnel Medal is bestowed upon members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as well as civilian personnel, who sustain injuries or lose their lives in combat engagements with the enemy.

The Wounded Personnel Medal Design

Crafted in gold, the medal takes the shape of a cross. At its center, a relief depicting General Gregorio del Pilar’s head is positioned, facing forward. Surrounding the cross is a wreath composed of light green laurel leaves.

The cross symbolizes the peril encountered during combat, while the depiction of General Del Pilar signifies acts leading to injury inflicted by an armed adversary. The wreath serves as a tribute to such courageous endeavors, with the green hue representing nobility and dedication to duty.

The ribbon accompanying the medal features a white base with a central purple stripe.

The Silver Wing Medal

The Silver Wing Medal is a military decoration awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.

The Silver Wing Medal is a military honor conferred by the Armed Forces of the Philippines upon both Filipino and allied military personnel. It is awarded in a single class and can be bestowed by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Commanding General of the PAR Area Command, and Major Service Commanders.

This distinction is granted for “meritorious achievement during aerial flight, a single act of merit, or participation in sustained operational activities against the enemy while airborne.

The Silver Wing Medal Design

The Silver Wing medal is crafted from silver-colored metal. It features a pair of silver wings extending from the bottom to nearly the top of the medal. Positioned between the tips of these wings are three raised five-pointed stars arranged over two chevrons, one below the other. At the center of the medal is a relief of a paratrooper helmet placed above three arched bands located at the base of the wings.

The accompanying ribbon is white with a central red stripe flanked by yellow edges, bordered by blue stripes on either side.

The Bronze Cross Medal (Philippines)

The Bronze Cross Medal military decoration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines awarded for heroism involving risk of life.

The Bronze Cross Medal (or Medalyang Tanso na Krus) is a singular military decoration bestowed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, given for acts of “heroism involving risk of life” under circumstances not warranting the higher Gold Cross Medal. It may be granted for either: 1) voluntary actions displaying exceptional courage beyond the call of duty amidst grave danger, or 2) other remarkable acts of bravery not directly involving combat with the enemy.

This honor is conferred by various high-ranking officials including the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), commanders of the Philippine Army, Navy (PN), and Air Force (PAF), as well as AFP Support Services Units, Area Commands, division and brigade commanders, and their equivalents in the PAF and PN. Recipients of this medal may include both military and civilian personnel of the AFP, and individuals from allied armed forces may also be eligible based on the specified award criteria.

The Bronze Cross Medal Design

The medal features a golden Greek cross with a green laurel wreath positioned centrally over it. At the center of the horizontal arms of the cross, there is a golden bar bearing the inscription “BRAVERY.”

It hangs from a blue ribbon with a central red stripe bordered by white edges, accompanied by narrow white stripes positioned halfway to the ribbon’s edges.