Philippine Defense Medal
Display Recognition

Site Index

      • Example Display Recognition
      • Applicable Military Branches
      • Display Types
      • Issue Requirements
      • Issue Regulations
      • Who May Apply
      • Administration Processing and Delivery
      • How To Apply For This Display Recognition and/or Medal
      • Mailing Address
      • Questions?
      • Other Display Recognitions
      • Example Display Recognition:
        Actual Size: 8 1/2 x 11


        Military Branches

        All Military Service branches are applicable:
        Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy

        Who May Apply

        • Veteran recipients
        • Active Duty recipients
        • Family Members of recipients
        • Estate Inheritors

        Display Types

        You have four display types to choose from:
        Black & White (No Color)
        Heavy Bond Enclosure

        Heavy Bond Enclosure
        Colors: Regal, Black, Navy
        Trimmed in Appearance Gold

        Ready for Mantle or Shelf Display

        Issue Requirements
        You must submit the following:

      • An unaltered photocopy of your WD AGO 53-55, or other military issued document clearly displaying your award of the Philippine Defense Medal.
      • Contact The War Library if you do not have a WD AGO 53-55: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone).
      • NOTICE

        This Display Recognition is available ONLY to authorized recipients who possess orders, or authorization form, or release documentation that confirms award eligibility. (See "Issue Requirements"). To obtain either a Display Medal or a Display Recognition for your authorized award you will be required to provide military-issued documentation authorizing your award. There are no exceptions.

        WARNING!
        You must NOT submit a military issued document or photocopy that:

        • has been altered in any way by you after
          the original's official issue
        • contains information or corrections or
          additions that you entered
        • lists awards or training you knowingly did not receive
        • contains highlighting, colorizing or other markings you entered

        Be advised that on request any knowingly fraudulent document sent by you will be released to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that may result in prosecution and/or fine/imprisonment.

        Email Questions, or Phone: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone)

        Personnel Branch
        Processing and Delivery

        Style Admin Shipping Total
        Full Color .PDF (Printable) $7.50 Emailed $7.50
        Published Document only (Full Color) $14.00 $10.50 USPS $24.50
        Published Document in Heavy Bond Enclosure (Full Color) $19.00 $10.50 USPS $29.50
        Full Color Printable Certificates
        on CD-Rom (minimum 20 Certificates)
        $7.50 $7.50 By Count

      • Total/Shipping fees, above, apply to 50 U.S. states
      • Contact The War Library for international shipping cost
      • How to Apply

        You may order your Display Recognition by...

      • Check Debit card
      • Charge card
      • Personal, Business, Bank or Cashiers Check
      • Money Order

        Complete and MAIL this APPLICATION FORM.
        Don't forget to include an unaltered COPY of your DD-214, WD AGO 53-55 or other pre-arranged document(s).

        DISPLAY RECOGNITION and/or MEDAL APPLICATION FORM

        Mailing Address

        Records Chief (REC-AMW)
        The American War Library
        817 East Via Carmelitos Ste 319
        Long Beach CA 90805-7549

        Questions?

        Click here for answers to common questions

        Email: Philippine Defense Medal Display Recognition Inquiry

        Telephone: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone)

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        Issue Regulations


        Philippine Defense Medal

        Establishing Authority


        Click for larger image

        The Philippine Defense Medal was initially established as a ribbon by Philippines Army Headquarters, Commonwealth of the Philippines, General Order Number 6, on December 20, 1944. It was later announced as a medal 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 Defense Medal are December 8, 1941 to June 15, 1942.

        Criteria

        The Philippine Defense Medal was awarded for service in the defense of the Philippines from December 8, 1941 to June 15, 1942, under either of the following conditions:

        -- Participation in any engagement against the enemy in Philippine territory, waters, or in the air over the Philippines or Philippine waters; or,

        -- Assigned or stationed in Philippine territory or waters for not less than thirty days during the authorizing period.

        Designer

        The Philippine Defense Medal was designed by Juan Nakpil

        Order of Precedence

        The Philippine Defense Medal is worn after all foreign decorations and before the Philippine Liberation Medal.

        Devices

        A recipient who meets both conditions for this medal is entitled to wear a bronze five-pointed star on the ribbon.

        Designer

        The Philippine Defense Medal was designed by Juan Nakpil

        Description and Symbolism

        Obverse

        The obverse of the medal is a gilt medallion, scalloped to display ten points. In the center of the medallion is the female figure of Filipinas, which is symbolic of defense, holding an Igorot shield with her left arm and a Moro kris in her right hand. She is shown facing the wearer's left, and in front of her are two islands: one is designated as Corregidor I[sland]. and the second bears the inscription BATAAN. The female figure's hair is shown blowing to her rear, and behind her is a revolutionary sunburst. This central theme is surrounded by a green-enameled wreath closed at the top by three five-pointed stars.

        Reverse

        The reverse of the Philippine Defense Medal bears the following inscription in four lines: FOR THE / DEFENSE / OF THE/ PHILIPPINES.

        Ribbon

        The ribbon to the Philippine Defense Medal consists of a field of red with a white stripe one-eighth of an inch wide a quarter inch in from each edge of the ribbon. In the center of the ribbon and between the white stripes, three white five-pointed stars form a triangle, with two stars at the base and one at the apex.

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