PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE MEDAL
(Philippines)
                        

ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY

The Philippine Independence Medal was initially established as a ribbon only by General Order Number 383, Army Headquarters, Commonwealth of the Philippines, on July 3, 1946. In 1968 Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos authorized a medal to accompany the ribbon.

ACCEPTANCE BY THE UNITED STATES

Acceptance of this medal was authorized in accordance with the provisions of Public Law 80-314, which authorized the acceptance of foreign awards and decorations during World War II for the period of December 7, 1941 through July 24, 1948.

EFFECTIVE DATE

The effective date of the Philippine Independence Medal July 4, 1946.

CRITERIA

The Philippine Independence Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet eligibility requirements for both the Philippine Defense Medal and the Philippine Liberations Medal, or who were present on duty in the Philippines on July 4, 1946.

DESIGNER

The identity of the designer of Philippine Defense Medal is not known.

DEVICES

No devices were authorized for this medal.

DESCRIPTION AND SYMBOLISM

Obverse

In the center of a gilt medallion, the figure of a female bearing a standard. To her right and left are vanishing rows of bolo knives. This central theme is surrounded by an annulet bearing the inscription PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE in the upper half, and July 4, 1946 at the bottom. The date and inscription are separated by two five-pointed stars. The female figure is "Miss Filipinas," an allegorical figure representing the Philippine people. The bolo knives are a traditional weapon of the Philippines.

Reverse

The reverse of the medal bears the inscription (in six lines) GRANTED / PHILIPPINE / INDEPENDENCE / BY THE / UNITED STATES / OF AMERICA

Ribbon



The ribbon to the Philippine Independence Medal is a field of blue bisected in the center by two red stripes separated by a white center stripe. The ribbon is edged in gold. The colors are taken from the Philippine Republic Coat of Arms.

Note

In 1962 Philippine President Diosdado Macpagal changed Independence Day in the Philippines from July 4 to June 12, which celebrates the anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence from Spain (originall issued by General Emilio Aguinaldo on June 12, 1898). The 4th of July was retained as an additional national holiday and is celebrated as Philippine-American Friendship Day.

                        


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