ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY
The Philippine Liberation Medal was originally established as a ribbon by Army Headquarters, Commonwealth of the Philippines, General Order Number 6, of December 20, 1944. Establishment of the medal to accompany the ribbon was announced by Army Headquarters on July 22, 1945.
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 DATES
The effective dates of the Philippine Liberation Medal are October 17, 1944 to September 2, 1945.
CRITERIA
The Philippine Liberation Medal was awarded for service in the liberation of the Philippines from October 17, 1944, to September 2, 1945. In order to qualify, one of the following provisions must be met:
- Participation in the initial landing operation of Leyte and adjoining islands from October 7-20, 1944; or,
- Participation in any engagement against the enemy during the Philippine Liberation Campaign; or,
- Service in the Philippine Islands or in ships in Philippine wates for not less than 30 days during the period of October 17, 1944 to September 2, 1945.
The Philippine Defense Medal was designed by Juan Nakpil
ORDER OF PRECEDENCE
The Philippine Liberation Medal is worn after the Philippine Defense Medal and before the Philippine Independence Medal.
DEVICES
Bronze Stars: Individuals eligible under any two of the qualifying provisions listed above are authorized to wear one bronze star on the ribbon. Personnel eligible under all three provisions may wear two bronze stars on the ribbon.
DESCRIPTION AND SYMBOLISM
Obverse
A bronze badge composed of a Filipino war shield flanked by the wings of victory. The shield is embellished with vertical panels of blue, white, and red enamel between a chief and shield bottom in white enamel. Superimposed on the white enamel center panel is a vertical bolo knife in silver, and three five-pointed stars in yellow enable appear in the chief. Between the chief and the three vertical panels is a band containing the inscription LIBERTY in raised letters, which is divided by the tip of the knife. Three different suspension devices were used for the Philippine Liberation Medal. The first type is an inverted triangle that is fixed to a post at the top of the medal; the second type uses a fixed ring instead of the triangle; and the third type consists of a ribbon suspension ring that is connected by a link ring to the eyelet at the top of the medal.
Reverse
The reverse of the medal bears the inscription (in four lines) FOR THE / LIBERATION / OF THE/ PHILIPPINES
Ribbon
The ribbon to the Philippine Liberation Medal is a field of red with two stripes, one blue and one white (both one eighth of an inch wide) in the center, with the blue to the wearer's right.