The Philippine Defense Medal is a

military award Military awards and decorations are distinctions given as a mark of honor for military heroism, meritorious or outstanding service or achievement. DoD Manual 1348.33, 2010, Vol. 3 A decoration is often a medal consisting of a ribbon and a medal ...

and decoration of the

Republic of the Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...

which is awarded to recognize the initial resistance against

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the n ...

ese invasion between the dates of 8 December 1941 and 15 June 1942. The award was first created in December 1944, and was issued as the Philippine Defense Ribbon. A full-sized medal was authorized and added in July, 1945.

Criteria

The Philippine Defense Medal is presented to any service member, of either the Philippine military or an allied armed force, which participated in the defense of the Philippine Islands between December 8, 1941 and June 15, 1942. Participation in any engagement against the enemy in Philippine territory, in Philippine waters, or in the air over the Philippines or over Philippine waters. An individual will be considered as having participated in an engagement if they meet one of the following:Air Force's Personnel Center, Philippine Defense Ribbon
/ref> :(A) Participation in any engagement against the enemy in Philippine territory, in Philippine waters, or in the air over the Philippines or over Philippine waters. An individual will be considered as having participated in an engagement if they meet one of the following. :(1) Was a member of the defense garrison of the Bataan Peninsula or of the fortified islands at the entrance to Manila Bay. :(2) Was a member of and present with a unit actually under enemy fire or air attack. :(3) Served on a ship that was under enemy fire or air attack. :(4) Was a crewmember or passenger in an airplane that was under enemy aerial or ground fire. :(B) Assigned or stationed in Philippine territory or in Philippine waters for not less than 30 days during the period. :(C) Individuals who meet conditions set forth in paragraphs (A) and (B) of this section are authorized to wear a bronze

service star A service star is a miniature bronze or silver five-pointed star inch (4.8 mm) in diameter that is authorized to be worn by members of the eight uniformed services of the United States on medals and ribbons to denote an additional award or se ...

on the ribbon. The Philippine Defense Medal was awarded to the United States and Philippine Commonwealth troops which defended the Philippines at

Bataan Bataan (), officially the Province of Bataan ( fil, Lalawigan ng Bataan ), is a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. Its capital is the city of Balanga while Mariveles is the largest town in the province. Occupying the enti ...

and would later be captured and forced to endure the

Bataan Death March The Bataan Death March ( Filipino: ''Martsa ng Kamatayan sa Bataan''; Spanish: ''Marcha de la muerte de Bataán'' ; Kapampangan: ''Martsa ning Kematayan quing Bataan''; Japanese: バターン死の行進, Hepburn: ''Batān Shi no Kōshin'') ...

Recipients

* Ramon A. Alcaraz * Donald Blackburn *

John D. Bulkeley John Duncan Bulkeley (19 August 1911 – 6 April 1996) was a vice admiral in the United States Navy and was one of its most decorated naval officers. Bulkeley received the Medal of Honor for actions in the Pacific Theater during World War II. ...

Jose Calugas Jose Cabalfin Calugas (December 29, 1907 – January 18, 1998) was a member of the Philippine Scouts during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle of Bataan. At the age of 23, Calugas joined the Philippine S ...

* James W. Coe * Edwin A. Doss * Richard W. Fellows *

Guy Fort Guy O. Fort (January 1, 1879 – November 11, 1942) was a brigadier general in the Philippine Army under the control of the United States Army Forces in the Far East. Fort led the 81st Division (Philippines) during the initial Battle of the Ph ...

* Amado F. Gador * Noel Gayler * Harold Keith Johnson *

Edward P. King Edward Postell King Jr. (July 4, 1884 – August 31, 1958) was a major general in the United States Army who gained prominence for leading the defense of the Bataan Peninsula in the Battle of Bataan against the Japanese invasion of the Philippin ...

Emilio S. Liwanag Captain Emilio S. Liwanag (March 27, 1911 – April 12, 1967) was an officer in the Philippine Navy who served during the World War II, Second World War and the Korean War. He started his military career as a 3rd Lieutenant with the 3rd Light In ...

Douglas MacArthur Douglas MacArthur (26 January 18805 April 1964) was an American military leader who served as General of the Army for the United States, as well as a field marshal to the Philippine Army. He had served with distinction in World War I, was ...

* William G. Martin * George F. Moore *

Emmett O'Donnell Jr. General Emmett E. "Rosie" O'Donnell Jr. (September 15, 1906 – December 26, 1971) was a United States Air Force four-star general who served as Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF) from 1959 to 1963. He also led the first B-29 ...

* Moises Pama * George M. Parker * Royal Reynolds, Jr. * Manuel F. Segura * Susano Madril *

Edward Thiele Edward Thiele was a rear admiral in the United States Coast Guard. Biography Thiele was born on September 4, 1905, in Washington, D.C. He graduated from McKinley Technology High School. Thiele died in 1981. Career Thiele was originally a member o ...

* Jesus M. Vargas * Walter A. Ditto * Jonathan M. Wainwright * Frank D. Wagner *

Charles A. Willoughby Charles Andrew Willoughby (March 8, 1892 – October 25, 1972) was a major general in the U.S. Army, serving as General Douglas MacArthur's chief of intelligence during most of World War II and the Korean War. Early life and education Willough ...

Similar awards

Similar Philippine medals include the Philippine Liberation Medal and the Philippine Independence Medal. Members of the United States Armed Forces entitled to the Philippine Defense Medal were also eligible to receive the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with a bronze "battle star" (" service star) for participation in the defense of the Philippines.

References

Citations

{{reflist, 1

Bibliography

* The AFP Adjutant General, ''AFP Awards and Decorations Handbook'', 1995, 1997, OTAG.

External links

Philippine Defense Medal : Display RecognitionThe American war Library
Military awards and decorations of the Philippines Military history of the Philippines during World War II