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Filipinos and the Military

The History of Filipinos in the Military

Designed by Herb Delute, Sal Flor, and Felix Tuyay

“Once stewards. Now Congressional Gold Medalists.” Filipinos enlisted in the U.S. Navy as stewards and cooks to help their families. Filipinos overcame discrimination, sacrificed, and fought during WWII. Upon retirement, veterans worked in civil service jobs, established businesses, and became leaders in our South Bay Community.

Medals and Uniform Courtesy
of Felix Tuyay

Filipinos in the US Navy

The Philippines was a territory of the United States after the Spanish American War. Filipinos were classified as United States nationals, but not United States citizens. 

Filipinos arrived in San Diego at the beginning of the 20th century via the U.S. Navy. Although it was under the guise of colonial relationship, serving in the navy provided a way for Filipinos to see the world and earn a living. Filipino sailors were aboard the USS Pennsylvania when this photograph was taken on September 8, 1927.

In WWII Filipinos and Americans Fight Side by Side

In the United States Filipinos enlisted in the US Army to form the First Filipino Infantry Regiment, Second Filipino Infantry Battalion, and 1st Reconnaissance Battalion.

Filipino Infantry Regiment. Photograph was taken in 1942 at Camp Cook, California.
Courtesy of Lillian Lim.
Filipinos in San Diego
Booklet U.S. Army 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment
Booklet, Courtesy of
Judy Patacsil
Commemorative Pin U.S. Army 1st & 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiment
Pin Courtesy of
Felix Tuyay
Shoulder Patch U.S. Army 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment
Patch Courtesy of
Felix Tuyay

During WW II more than 260,000 Filipino soldiers served side-by-side with American soldiers while in the Philippine Commonwealth Army, Philippine Scouts, and Recognized Guerrillas. 

CGM Recipient Julian Flor was a member of the recognized guerilla group in the Philippines before joining the U.S. Navy.

Pres. Harry Truman’s letter  thanked Flor for his service and combat while in the U.S. Navy as a prisoner of war. Earlier Flor was recognized for saving 4 downed US pilots in the Philippines.

Filipino Veterans Face and Over Come Racism

1946 marked the end of war and the passage of the Rescission Acts by Congress.  This revoked veterans benefits and payments to the Filipino soldiers (Philippine Commonwealth Army, Philippine Scouts, and Recognized Guerrillas) and denied them of their U.S. citizenship.

The battle is not over, and the next mission is to repeal the Rescission Act.

Pictures Filipino WWII veterans of the South Bay who received CGM
Courtesy of FANHS – San Diego

Living WWII veterans or family member of a living WWII veteran at CGM ceremony on Oct. 14, 2018.

Left to right front: Crisanto Garrido, Philippine Army, US Navy; Cornelio Devega, Recognized Guerilla, Philippine Scout; Eduardo Cabling, Recognized Guerilla; Wilfredo  Cabarlo, Philippine Scout; Dionisio Academia Jr. US Navy (Son present)

Left to right back: David Sardilla, Philippine Scout; Leonardo Melendrez San Sebastian, Recognized Guerilla; Melencio Nielo, Philippine Scout; William Madamba, Philippine Army; Epifanio Leano, US Navy.

With numbers increasing, Filipino service men formed the American Legion Leyte Post 625 andFleet Reserve Branch 84. In 1946 the Filipino American Veterans Association (FAVA) was formed and  raised funds to build the FAVA Hall located on 2962 Market Street in San Diego. The hall became the hub of Filipino gatherings which included the Visayan Circle of San Diego in the picture.
Courtesy of Sarmiento family,
Filipinos in San Diego
Pictures Filipino WWII veterans of the South Bay who received CGM
Courtesy of FANHS – San Diego

Filipino Veterans Now Recognized

On Oct. 14, 2018, under the Filipino Veteran Recognition Education Project (FilVetREP). 10 living Filipino WWII Veterans received the Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) and 60 family members received the CGM on behalf of their Filipino WWII Veterans. The CGM is an award bestowed by Congress and is the highest civilian award in the United States.

The battle is not over, and the next mission is to repeal the Rescission Act.

Dionisio Academia
US Navy
Nemecio Avinante
US Navy
Adelino Bernal
US Navy
Julian Martinez Flor
Guerilla, US Navy
Ettie Gomez
US Navy
Amado Quintanilla
US Navy
Pictures Filipino WWII veterans of the South Bay who received CGM
Courtesy of FANHS – San Diego
Pete Flore Estepa
US Navy
Crisanto Garrido
Philippine Army, US Navy
Epifano Leano
US Navy
Leonardo Monzon
Philippine Army, US Navy
The front depicts faces of soldiers and guerrillas in their period uniforms, headgear, and weapons, representing the Philippine Commonwealth Army, Philippine Scouts, First Filipino Infantry Regiment, Second Filipino Infantry Battalion, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, and Recognized Guerrillas. These units comprised major combat forces of the US Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) from July 26,1941 to December 31, 1946. The bottom depicts a landscape scene of a U.S. Army soldier in a guard and defend position on a beachhead in Leyte during the liberation of the Philippines,  a Commonwealth or territory of the United States, on October 20, 1944.
The reverse highlights the theme “Duty to Country” — the core value inherent in citizenship, patriotism, courage, honor, selfless service, integrity of men and women who willingly served their country in defense of freedom and liberty. The four major campaigns inscribed on the reverse (Bataan and Corregidor, Luzon, Leyte, and Southern Philippines)  were fought in an archipelago of over 7,000 islands. The dates emblazoned on the scroll below the campaign:
  • 1941 Japanese attack of the Philippines;
  • 1945 Liberation of the Philippines and defeat of Japanese Imperial Forces; and 
  • 1946 End of war and passage of the Rescission Acts by Congress.  This revoked veterans benefits and payments to the Filipino soldiers and denied them of their U.S. citizenship evoke the period of desperation, humiliation, and daunting experience of the Filipino Veterans of WW II.
FilVetREP Website to Under One Flag- Education Program
Under One Flag | FilVetREP

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Check out our presentation slide show to get an in-depth look at the history of Filipinos in the military.

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