this number, 800 were killed, 1,000 were wounded, 
and 11,000 were captured and forced to march 
through the city of Manila, after which the captured 
troops were distributed to various POW camps. The 
rest of the captured troops escaped to organize or 
join an underground guerrilla army. 
(11) Even before the fall of Corregidor, Phil-
ippine resistance, in the form of guerrilla armies, 
began to wage warfare on the Japanese invaders. 
Guerrilla 
armies, 
from 
Northern 
Luzon 
to 
Mindanao— 
(A) raided Japanese camps, stealing weap-
ons and supplies; 
(B) sabotaged and ambushed Japanese 
troops on the move; and 
(C) with little weaponry, and severely out-
matched in numbers, began to extract victories. 
(12) Japanese intelligence reports reveal that 
from the time the Japanese invaded until the return 
of the United States Armed Forces in the summer 
of 1944, an estimated 300,000 Filipinos continued 
to fight against Japanese forces. Filipino resistance 
against the Japanese was so strong that, in 1942, 
the Imperial Army formed the Morista Butai, a unit 
designated to suppress guerrillas. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:11 Jun 16, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2737.IH
H2737
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(13) Because Philippine guerrillas worked to re-
store communication with United States forces in 
the Pacific, General MacArthur was able to use the 
guerrillas in advance of a conventional operation and 
provided the headquarters of General MacArthur 
with valuable information. Guerrillas captured and 
transmitted to the headquarters of General Mac-
Arthur Japanese naval plans for the Central Pacific, 
including defense plans for the Mariana Islands. In-
telligence derived from guerrillas relating to aircraft, 
ship, and troop movements allowed for Allied forces 
to attack Japanese supply lines and guerrillas and 
even directed United States submarines where to 
land agents and cargo on the Philippine coast. 
(14) On December 20, 1941, President Roo-
sevelt signed the Selective Training and Service 
Amendments Act (Public Law 77–360; 55 Stat. 
844) which, among other things, allowed Filipinos in 
the United States to enlist in the United States 
Armed Forces. In February 1942, President Roo-
sevelt issued the Second War Powers Act (Public 
Law 77–507; 56 Stat. 176), promising a simplified 
naturalization process for Filipinos who served in 
the United States Armed Forces. Subsequently, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:11 Jun 16, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2737.IH
H2737
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
16,000 Filipinos in California alone decided to en-
list. 
(15) The mobilization of forces included the ac-
tivation and assumption of command of the First 
Filipino Infantry Battalion on April 1, 1942, at 
Camp San Luis Obispo, California. Orders were 
issued to activate the First Filipino Infantry Regi-
ment and Band at Salinas, California, effective July 
13, 1942. The activation of the Second Filipino In-
fantry Regiment occurred at Fort Ord, California, 
on November 21, 1942. Nearly 9,000 Filipinos and 
Filipino Americans fought in the United States 
Army 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments. 
(16) Soldiers of the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regi-
ments participated in the bloody combat and mop- 
up operations at New Guinea, Leyte, Samar, Luzon, 
and the Southern Philippines. In 1943, 800 men 
were selected from the 1st and 2nd Regiments and 
shipped to Australia to receive training in intel-
ligence gathering, sabotage, and demolition. Reorga-
nized as part of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 
this group was sent to the Philippines to coordinate 
with major guerrilla armies in the Islands. Members 
of the 1st Regiment were also attached to the 
United States 6th Army ‘‘Alamo Scouts’’, a recon-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:11 Jun 16, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2737.IH
H2737
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
naissance group that traveled 30 miles behind enemy 
lines to free Allied prisoners from the Cabanatuan 
death camp on January 30, 1945. In addition, in 
1945, according to the 441st Counter Intelligence 
Unit of the United States Armed Forces, Philippine 
guerrillas provided ‘‘very important information and 
sketches of enemy positions and installations’’ for 
the liberation of the Santo Tomas prisoner of war 
camp, an event that made front page news across 
the United States. 
(17) In March 1944, members of the 2nd Fili-
pino Infantry Regiment were selected for special as-
signments, including intelligence missions, and reor-
ganized as the 2nd Filipino Infantry Battalion (Sep-
arate). The 2nd Filipino Infantry Battalion contrib-
uted to mop-up operations as a civil affairs unit. 
(18) Filipinos participated in the war out of na-
tional pride, as well as out of a commitment to the 
Allied forces struggle against fascism. 57,000 Fili-
pinos in uniform died in the war effort. Estimates 
of civilian deaths range from 700,000 to upwards of 
1,000,000, or between 4.38 to 6.25 percent of the 
prewar population of 16,000,000. 
(19) Because Filipinos who served in the Com-
monwealth Army of the Philippines were originally 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:11 Jun 16, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2737.IH
H2737
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
considered a part of the Allied struggle, the military 
order issued by President Roosevelt on July 26, 
1941, stated that Filipinos who served in the Com-
monwealth Army of the Philippines were entitled to 
full veterans benefits. The guarantee to pay back the 
service of Filipinos through veterans benefits was re-
versed by the Rescission Acts of 1946 (Public Laws 
79–301 and 79–391; 60 Stat. 6 and 60 Stat. 221), 
which deemed that the wartime service of the Com-
monwealth Army of the Philippines and the new 
Philippine Scouts was not considered active and, 
therefore, did not qualify for benefits. 
(20) The loyal and valiant Filipino Veterans of 
World War II fought, suffered, and, in many in-
stances, died in the same manner and under the 
same commander as other members of the United 
States Armed Forces during World War II. 
(21) The Filipino Veterans of World War II 
who have fought alongside, and as an integral part 
of, the United States Armed Forces. The Philippines 
remained a territory of the United States for the du-
ration of the war and, accordingly, the United States 
maintained sovereignty over Philippine foreign rela-
tions, including Philippine laws enacted by the Phil-
ippine Government. Filipinos who fought in the Phil-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:11 Jun 16, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2737.IH
H2737
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
ippines were not only defending or fighting for the 
Philippines, but also defending and ultimately liber-
ating sovereign territory held by the United States 
Government. 
(22) The United States remains forever in-
debted to the bravery, valor, and dedication that the 
Filipino Veterans of World War II displayed. Their 
commitment and sacrifice demonstrates a highly un-
common and commendable sense of patriotism and 
honor. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act— 
(a) the term ‘‘Filipino Veterans of World War II’’ 
includes any individual who served— 
(1) honorably at any time during the period be-
ginning on July 26, 1941, and ending on December 
31, 1946; 
(2) in an active-duty status under the command 
of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East; 
and 
(3)(A) within the Philippine Commonwealth 
Army, the Philippine Scouts, the Philippine Con-
stabulary, Recognized Guerrilla units, the New Phil-
ippine Scouts, the First Filipino Infantry Regiment, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:11 Jun 16, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2737.IH
H2737
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
the Second Filipino Infantry Battalion (Separate), 
or the First Reconnaissance Battalion; or 
(B) commanding or serving in a unit described 
in paragraph (3)(A) as a United States military offi-
cer or enlisted soldier; and 
(b) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of the 
Treasury. 
SEC. 4. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL. 
(a) AWARD AUTHORIZED.—The President pro tem-
pore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Rep-
resentatives shall make appropriate arrangements for the 
award, on behalf of Congress, of a single gold medal of 
appropriate design to the Filipino Veterans of World War 
II in recognition of the dedicated service of the veterans 
during World War II. 
(b) DESIGN AND STRIKING.—For the purposes of the 
award referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
strike the Gold Medal with suitable emblems, devices, and 
inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary. 
(c) SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Following the award of the 
gold medal in honor of the Filipino Veterans of 
World War II, the gold medal shall be given to the 
Smithsonian Institution, where it will be available 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:11 Jun 16, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2737.IH
H2737
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
for display as appropriate and made available for re-
search. 
(2) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of 
Congress that the Smithsonian Institution should 
make the gold medal received under paragraph (1) 
available for display elsewhere, particularly at other 
appropriate locations associated with the Filipino 
Veterans of World War II. 
(d) DUPLICATE MEDALS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Under regulations that the 
Secretary may promulgate, the Secretary may strike 
and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal 
struck under this Act, at a price sufficient to cover 
the costs of the medals, including labor, materials, 
dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses. 
(2) 
SALE
OF
DUPLICATE
MEDALS.—The 
amounts received from the sale of duplicate medals 
under paragraph (1) shall be deposited in the United 
States Mint Public Enterprise Fund. 
SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS. 
(a) NATIONAL MEDALS.—Medals struck under this 
Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 
31, United States Code. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:11 Jun 16, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2737.IH
H2737
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(b) NUMISMATIC ITEMS.—For purposes of section 
5134 of title 31, United States Code, all medals struck 
under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:11 Jun 16, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H2737.IH
H2737
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS