Doug Bereuter: “this resolution provides long-delayed recognition to persons considered to be members of the Philippine Commonwealth…”

“this resolution provides long-delayed recognition to persons considered to be members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army veterans and members of the Special Philippine Scouts--by reason of service with the allied Armed Forces during World War II. On July 26, 1941, President Roosevelt issued a military order, pursuant to the Philippines Independence Act of 1934, calling members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army into the service of the United States forces of the Far East, under the command of Lt. Gen. Douglas MacArthur. For almost 4 years, over 100,000 Filipinos, of the Philippine Commonwealth Army fought alongside the allies to reclaim the Philippine Islands from Japan. Unfortunately, Congress rewarded this service by enacting the Rescission Act of 1946. This measure denied the members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army the honor of being recognized as veterans of the United States Armed Forces. A second group, the Special Philippine Scouts called ``New scouts'' who enlisted in the United States Armed Forces after October 6, 1945, primarily to perform occupation duty in the Pacific, have also never received official recognition. It is time to correct this injustice and to provide the official recognition long overdue for members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and the Special Philippine Scouts that they valiantly earned for their service to the United States and the allied cause during World War II.”