Tri-Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honors Filipino American, Chinese American, and Japanese American WWII veterans

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii will soon host a permanent display of three Congressional Gold Medals awarded to the Filipino American, Chinese American, and Japanese American veterans of World War II.

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The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor granted by the U.S. Congress to individuals or groups whose achievements and service have had a significant impact on the country.

The public is invited to a Tri-Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony at the museum at Fort DeRussy in Waikiki on Saturday, September 26, from 3-4:30 p.m.

“This is years in the making and publicly recognizes the enormous contributions of these veterans to the security of our nation during one of its most challenging periods in its history,” said Sonny Rosales, Deputy Director, Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP) for Hawaii, American Samoa, and Guam Region.

“The purpose of the Tri-Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony is to bring together three distinguished World War II military legacies in a historic act of remembrance by presenting Congressional Gold Medals representing the Filipino, Japanese American, and Chinese American veterans to the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii at Fort DeRussy for official display and preservation.”

“By placing these three Congressional Gold Medals together in the museum, the ceremony creates a lasting place of honor where veterans, families, service members, students, educators, visitors, and future generations can learn about the courage, sacrifice, patriotism, and contributions of these communities to our nation and its military history,” he added.

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The medals honor:

Japanese American Veterans

Japanese American (Nisei) soldiers served with extraordinary distinction during World War II, particularly through the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service. Many served while their families were confined in internment camps, demonstrating remarkable patriotism and courage despite discrimination. Congress awarded them the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their service.

Filipino World War II Veterans

More than 250,000 Filipinos served alongside U.S. forces during World War II, defending the Philippines and supporting Allied operations. Their contributions were critical to the war effort, yet many waited decades for full recognition. Congress awarded the Filipino Veterans of World War II the Congressional Gold Medal in 2017 to honor their valor, sacrifice, and loyalty to the United States.

Chinese American Veterans

Chinese Americans also served in large numbers during World War II, often overcoming racial barriers while supporting the U.S. war effort. Congressional recognition acknowledged both their military service and their contributions to the nation’s defense during a critical period in history.

Rosales, Major General (Ret) Bob Lee, former Hawaii Adjutant General representing the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project, and Barbara Tanabe, daughter of Japanese American Military Intelligence Service (MIS) veteran who served in World War II, representing the Nisei Soldier Congressional Gold Medal efforts, will join Sunrise on Sunday to talk about the Tri-Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony Committee.

“Recognition does not have an expiration date. Many of these veterans and their families waited decades for their service and sacrifice to receive the national recognition it deserved. This ceremony is about honoring that legacy, but it’s also about education. We want our young people, our military service members, our local families, and visitors to understand the important role that Filipino, Japanese American, and Chinese American veterans played in defending our nation. Their stories demonstrate courage, resilience, patriotism, and service. Those are values that still matter today,” Rosales said.

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