DEPARTMENT: Government and Public Affairs, Office of Military Affairs
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Jeff Coyle, Government and Public Affairs; Juan G. Ayala, Director, Office of Military Affairs
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S) IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Resolution honoring Filipino WWII Veterans
SUMMARY:
This item is to request the City Council's support in officially proclaiming the City of San Antonio's recognition and gratitude for Filipino Veterans of World War II. The proclamation will honor these brave Veterans' dedication to duty, gallantry under fire, and service to the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America. In addition, the City's support is also requested in officially proclaiming their endorsement of the legislation to award these Veterans the Congressional Gold Medal.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In 1941, more than 200,000 Filipino Soldiers responded to President Roosevelt's call-to-arms and later fought under the American flag during WWII. Filipino soldiers served in the most grueling conditions during World War II in the defense of their homeland, bravely fighting in the Battles of Corregidor, Manila and Luzon, and endured the brutal hardships of the infamous Bataan Death March. Filipino soldiers were initially assigned to the Philippine Scouts, the Philippine Commonwealth Army, new Philippine Scouts, Filipino Civilian Volunteers who served with United States Army and the Guerilla Services; later, they served in the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment, the 2nd Filipino Infantry Battalion, and the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. Filipino Scouts, Civilian Volunteers and those assigned to the Guerillas Services provided intelligence, logistics and communications support to allied forces which were essential to the liberation of the Philippines. Such was their effectiveness that by the end of World War II, Japan controlled only 12 of the 48 Philippine provinces. Many of the descendants of these brave men would not only serve in the Korean and Vietnam wars, bu...
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