- Time Period: Post-WW2 Period
- Institution: 20 December 1944 (Ribbon) / 22 July 1945 (Medal)
- Country: Republic of The Philippines
The Philippine Liberation Medal, a military honor of the Republic of the Philippines, was established by an order from the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines Headquarters on December 20, 1944, initially known as the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. This decoration was bestowed upon any service member, whether from the Philippine Commonwealth or allied militaries, who partook in the liberation of the Philippine Islands spanning from October 17, 1944, to September 2, 1945. A full-sized medal was later authorized and introduced on July 22, 1945.
The purpose of the Philippine Liberation Medal is to acknowledge military service during the final eleven months of World War II, marked by the expulsion of the Japanese military from the Philippines preceding their surrender in September 1945.
The Philippine Liberation Medal Criteria
To qualify for the Philippine Liberation Medal, a service member must have fulfilled one of the following conditions:
- Participation in the initial landing operation of Leyte and adjacent islands occurring from October 17 to 20, 1944. This entails being part of the landing forces on Leyte or adjacent islands, serving aboard a vessel in Philippine waters, or being a crew member of an aircraft that flew over Philippine territory during that period.
- Engagement in any combat against hostile Japanese forces on Leyte and adjacent islands throughout the Philippine Liberation Campaign from October 17, 1944, to September 2, 1945.
- Participation in any combat against hostile Japanese forces on islands beyond the aforementioned ones during the Philippine Liberation Campaign from October 17, 1944, to September 2, 1945.
- Service in the Philippine Islands or aboard ships in Philippine waters for a minimum of 30 days within the specified period.
Individuals awarded the medal for their involvement in any of the above operations are entitled to add a bronze 3⁄16″ service star to the Philippine Liberation Medal for each additional qualifying action.
Members of the United States Armed Forces, including the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine Constabulary, were also eligible for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, often accompanied by a service star, for their participation in the liberation of the Philippines.
