Filipino veterans of World War II receive Congressional Gold Medal

WASHINGTON – Filipino veterans of World War II received a Congressional Gold Medal today during a ceremony in Emancipation Hall of the U.S. Capitol.  It was awarded collectively to those who served honorably in an active-duty status between July 26, 1941, and December 31, 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.

Filipino, Filipino-American, and American soldiers defended U.S. sovereign territory under USAFFE command after President Roosevelt’s call-to-arms in July 1941 to address rising tensions with Japan in the Pacific. Their valiant service was an integral part of the Allied victory over Axis forces in World War II and demonstrates a highly uncommon and commendable sense of patriotism and honor.

3-inch Congressional Gold Medal.

3-inch Congressional Bronze Medal.

The medal was designed and struck by the United States Mint, as authorized by Public Law 114-265. Its obverse displays part of the range and breadth of the Filipino veterans’ service in World War II. Depicted are 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. The design features the inscription FILIPINO VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II. Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) designer Joel Iskowitz created the design, which was engraved by Mint sculptor-engraver Phebe Hemphill.

3-inch Congressional Gold Medal.

3-inch Congressional Bronze Medal.

The medal’s reverse 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 of DUTY TO COUNTRY and the key locations of BATAAN & CORREGIDOR, LUZON, LEYTE, and SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES are featured centrally. ACT OF CONGRESS 2016 is inscribed along the bottom of the design. Inscribed upon a scroll between the flags are the significant years of 1941, 1945, and 1946. AIP designer Donna Weaver created the design, which was engraved by Mint sculptor-engraver Joseph Menna.

The public law that awards the Congressional Gold Medal to the Filipino veterans of World War II also authorizes the Mint to strike and sell bronze reproductions of the medal.  The three-inch medal (product code 17MB), priced at $39.95, and the 1.5-inch medal (product code 17MC), priced at $6.95, will be available for purchase on October 25 at noon Eastern Time through the bureau’s online catalog and at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).  Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may call 1-888-321-MINT (6468).

The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the nation’s highest civilian awards bestowed by Congress as an expression of gratitude for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals, groups, or institutions. Past recipients include Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, the Tuskegee Airmen, the Women Airforce Service Pilots, and Mother Teresa of Calcutta.


About the United States Mint
The United States Mint was created by Congress in 1792 and became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. It is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The United States Mint also produces numismatic products, including Proof, Uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers. The Mint is celebrating its 225th anniversary in 2017 (#USMint225).

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Comments

  1. Felson says

    Interesting article Louis. Some of the things suggested by you and others are hopefully implemented. I like the HH limit of 1 for 24 hours.

    On this medal… the mint IMO… does much better on medals. I caveat that by saying medals that are driven by some other agenda. (such as the 2017 silver medals).

  2. Louis says

    Got my 4-medal set today. Great product and presentation but the enhanced one has some kind of white blotch when looking straight at it. Does not seem like a milk spot but perhaps it is. Given the price I am inclined to return.

  3. Louis says

    I’m surprised no one as commented on how order history has been down since the LESPS was released.

  4. Felson says

    I am used to not having a valid order history. When the new company took over my order history from 2001 to that day was deleted.

  5. ndjay says

    My order history has not been working properly since I ordered the 225th Anniversary Enhanced Uncirculated Coin Set on August 1.
    Every time I go to it, it says currently unavailable. From that screen I hit refresh and it pops right up.
    I don’t know if this will work for you but it works for me every time. I hope it helps.

  6. Dustyroads says

    I’ll have to try refreshing the next time I’m at the website.

    What has been working for me is deleting all my cookies before entering the USM site.

  7. Jerry Diekmann says

    Well deserved! They went through hell during the war. I have some Filipino friends who have told me stories about their parents living under Japanese rule and how close to death they often were, and they had to live in constant fear because IJA was merciless to American and Filipino soldiers and guerillas and civilians alike.

  8. TemplePriesttess says

    Saw the mock ups for the Life, Liberty, & Happiness platinum coins today. Good looking designs and nice way to get collectors interested in the next three platinum offerings.

  9. Anthony says

    Jerry, I agree with you 100%!
    Not only that, this design is truly outstanding and very dignified. The composition of the design is outstanding and the details would look outstanding in the large 3 inch medal!

  10. earthling says

    I suppose with the Platinum Proofs, 10,000 Coins has become the new norm. IMHO that is far too many Coins. I used to be a big Platinum Fan ……….. but things change. People move on . Buying obsessions become extinguished over time.

    For Platinum Eagle money I could hop on a Plane for the weekend. Experience REAL LIFE. Peering at little discs of silvery metal is so………… old foggyish.

    😉

  11. cagcrisp says

    From ^ article “The World Bank said it expects gold prices to average $1,238 an ounce in 2018, representing a roughly 2.5% decline from current prices of $1,270. In 2019 and 2020, they forecast gold to drop to $1,226 and $1,214, respectively. ”

    “The report showed that the World Bank forecasts silver prices to average $16.92 an ounce in 2018, $16.84 in 2019 and $16 by 2030.”

    $16 by 2030? That sounds are Right to me…

  12. cagcrisp says

    $16 Silver by 2030? That sounds about Right to me

    Gold Down 16% by 2030? That sounds about Right to me

    12 years of Lost Opportunity Costs… That sounds about Right to me…

  13. Ryan says

  14. Just Another Dave In Pa says

    I’m glad I don’t usually buy graded coins.

    I suppose for high-end items it might give the buyer some peace of mind.

    The Filipino medals are alright. They’re good people. I was in Manila at the time of Aquino’s assassination and it was a great thing to see the people wearing yellow bandanas.

    I remember in the Navy that Filipinos were relegated to stewards and then cooks. I’m not sure about WWII but they loved MacArthur.

  15. Dustyroads says

    “World Bank said it expects gold prices to average $1,238 an ounce in 2018, representing a roughly 2.5% decline”

    I’m sure they do, the World Bank interprets today’s gold prices as an instability risk.

  16. Louis says

    Other companies have been certifying stamps for years, and for higher end items, it is just as essential as it is for higher end, older coins if you plan to sell. But most stamp collections are so full of common material that dealers will not even pay anything for them. One fellow wrote an article in the Times saying the dealer told him to give to a home for vets, which he did. And if they do buy, you will get a fraction of what you paid even for stuff that a few years ago had a fairly decent market.

  17. Louis says

    to give “it” (his lifetime stamp collection). He said it did not bother him because he enjoyed it for so many years, but for some people who put a lot of money into stamps, it can be a rude awakening. I think this has a lot to do with the decline of philately besides the lack of interest among younger folks. But there is renewed interest in hard assets, bullion, etc. from younger generations that have good jobs in tech, etc., who may or may not go on to become interested in coins as collectibles.

  18. Dustyroads says

    I believe Asia is experiencing a very different type of social trend at the moment which has drawn a great number of people into philately. Not only as a hobby, but as an investment.

  19. Tom P. - MA says

    So…. $16 silver and $1200 gold 12 years from now. Is the World Bank expecting a massive deflationary spiral?

    Let me guess, every other commodity will increase in value including cryptocurrencies which have no use other than trading, right? Some people believe anything they read. A handful of cryptocurrencies will make it, the rest will trade like penny stocks at some point.

  20. Ryan says

    @louis

    Really? I had no idea other companies have been grading for years?? Do they use holders similar to the ones ngc is going to use?

    @dustyroads

    Thanks for that link. I didn’t know that stamp collecting was a thing in China!

    I collected stamps when I was a kid and really enjoyed it, now I don’t really collect stamps but I do have a few frames sets on my office wall and on a few rooms in my house. I’ve bought a few interesting stamps over the years that are just sitting in photo boxes in wax paper envelopes. I think I’ll pick a few and send them in just to see what the mounting and grading looks like. I like a lot of designes on stamps but hate their fragility and a lack of a decent way to view them and show them to others that’s why I thought this grading and encapsulated presentation looked like a good idea.

  21. Mintman says

    Silver 16 bucks/oz in 2030
    Don’t think so
    Whatever boob wrote that article will never be heard from again
    Can you say FAKE NEWS

  22. Louis says

    @Ryan- They call it “experitizing.” If you join the American Philatelic Society, you can have stamps expertized through them for a fee, though I am not sure about how they house them. I think they mainly grade them and write up a description.

    As for these 2030 predictions, I would not put any stock in what anyone thinks about what precious metals will be worth that far out or stocks or bonds, etc. Too many unknown variables.

  23. earthling says

    All this talk about future values of anything reminds me of Harry Forman. Is he still around? Harry would write a book once in a while predicting future values of Coins. Anyway, people would start buying up Coins that he predicted to increase and lo and behold prices began to move. Everyone had to agree that Harry had a Crystal Ball. What a brilliant man.

  24. datadave says

    Maybe they meant $16 silver in today’s dollars? If you factor out inflation then I would say that is probably a good prediction. But if inflation is 25% over the next 12 years, then the prediction is that silver will keep falling. All I know is if the government doesn’t crank up inflation a little, all the pension plans are going under.

  25. sharks2th says

    @RCB – It looks like the designers are trying to place subliminal messages in the last two designs shown here on MNB (a strong looking Obama with a knife on this one and a Zombie Hillary on the BC coins). I had not noticed the Obama resemblance until you pointed it out. The mint is evidently trying to get onto the Zombucks bandwagon:)

  26. CasualCollector says

    225th Anniversary EU Sets — 22 Left at the moment. But I suspect more will pop up even if it goes to Currently Unavailable today…

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