EIGHT FILIPINO AND ONE AMERICAN WWII VETERAN POSTHUMOUSLY CONFERRED THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS

Congressional Gold Medals were posthumously awarded to Filipino WWWII veterans Edgar Escat Garoza, Fermin Libres Piezas, Rafael Ocampo Resus, Jr., Angel Galan Juanito, Luis Gutierrez, Gilbert Garduno, George Lawrence, and Basilio Alvarado Quinitio. This year, a medal was also posthumously awarded to American WWII veteran Robert Alexander Pearson, whose service in the Philippines earned him the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal among many others.

PRESS RELEASE
WDC-67-2026

03 November 2026

Embassy Press and Information Section

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C., showed its support to its Filipino veterans, their families, and to the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP) as FilVetRep held the 2026 Congressional Gold Medal ceremony on October 20, 2026, to posthumously honor eight Filipino and one American veteran of World War II.

Held as part of celebrating Filipino American History Month, the ceremony served as a poignant reminder of the shared history and enduring alliance between the Philippines and the United States.

The awards were given to the families of Edgar Escat Garoza, Fermin Libres Piezas, Rafael Ocampo Resus, Jr., Angel Galan Juanito, Luis Gutierrez, Gilbert Garduno, George Lawrence, Basilio Alvarado Quinitio, and Robert Alexander Pearson.

Representing the Embassy and on behalf of Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, Deputy Chief of Mission Felipe Cariño, III shared in his remarks, “This recognition is especially meaningful as the Philippines and the United States of America mark 80 years of formal diplomatic relations and 75 years of the PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty. These milestones remind us that the strength of our relationship rests on more than agreements between governments. It has been shaped by shared history, shared sacrifice, mutual commitment, and enduring people-to-people ties between Filipinos, Filipino Americans, and Americans. The service of our veterans stands among the earliest and most powerful chapters of this shared brotherhood, as Filipinos and Americans stood together in defense of freedom and democracy.”

FilVetRep Chairman Major General Antonio Taguba (Ret., U.S. Army) opened his closing remarks by recounting the history of FilVetRep and its efforts to secure the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal. He also underscored the importance of recognizing the contributions of those whose service was not fully reflected in the original roster of honorees, including women and Filipino nurses who served valiantly during World War II. He concluded by congratulating the award recipients and expressing his gratitude to the families for preserving and carrying forward the legacy of their veteran loved ones.

The Congressional Gold Medal is awarded collectively to World War II veterans under Public Law 114-265, recognizing their outstanding wartime achievements and honorable service to the United States during World War II. The Medal stands as a symbol of valor, integrity, and selfless service to the nation.

The event was attended by veterans’ families, community leaders, and members of the Filipino-American community, who together paid tribute to the courage and legacy of the Filipino soldiers who fought alongside U.S. forces during World War II.

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