Philippine Liberation Medal
Philippine Defense Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America which are awarded by United States’ agencies, these military medals are presented by the Republic of the Philippines. The Philippine Liberation Medal was created by order of the Commonwealth of the Philippines Army in December of 1944 as an award of the Republic of the Philippines. At first the award was only in the form of military ribbons, but by July of 1945, full sized military medals were also established. These military awards were presented to service members of the Philippine and allied militaries who participated in liberating the Philippine Islands from Japanese occupation between October of 1944 and September of 1945.
The Philippine Liberation Medal is intended to recognize military service in the last days of World War II when the Japanese military was driven from the Philippines. To be awarded the medal, a service member must have served in the Philippines for at least thirty days during the eligible time period, or must have participated in one of the following actions: participation in the initial landing operation of Leyte and adjoining islands from October 7 to October 20, 1944; or participation in any engagement against hostile Japanese forces during the Philippine Liberation Campaign of October 17, 1944 to September 2, 1945
Service persons awarded these military medals for service in the above mentioned operations are authorized to wear Service Stars on their Philippine Liberation Medals. Personnel who earned the medal for general service during the eligible time period are awarded the medal without any devices.
The Philippine Liberation Medal was one of the most commonly bestowed awards to allied militaries, awarded primarily to the forces of the Philippine Commonwealth, the US armed forces, and the British Commonwealth forces. Other common Philippine military awards of the Second World War include the Philippine Defense Medal and the Philippine Independence Medal.
The Philippine Liberation Medal is worn below the Philippine Defense Medal and above the Philippine Independence Medal in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all military medals and ribbons. These awards are generally available as full size medals, mini-medals, ribbons, a unit banner, and lapel pins. While traditionalist may still prefer to purchase the traditional slide-on full size military medals, mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons; the newer thin mini-medals, and ultra thin military ribbons commercial suppliers now provide have become extremely popular among up and coming military personnel who know how important it is to their career advancement to always maximize the neatness and smartness of their uniform appearance.
