Historical information

The Philippine Liberation Medal is intended to recognize military service during the last eleven months of World War II when the military of Japan was driven from the Philippines before their surrender in September 1945.
Robert Hamilton Hutchieson PM 4802 served on HMAS Westralia as a landing craft coxswain in the Southwest Pacific Campaign 1942 to 1945. The Australian Army played virtually no part in the Philippines. However, units from the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Australian Navy, were involved.The ships that delivered American troops included three Australian landing ships, HMA Ships Kanimbla, Manoora and Westralia.

Significance

In 1995, fifty years after the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation, the Republic of the Philippines announced the awarding of a Philippines Liberation Medal to Allied veterans who served in the country or its territorial waters during 1944-45. More than 3000 Australians have received this medal

Physical description

Gold with white enamel irregular shaped medal attached to orange ribbon with central thin blue and white stripe.

Inscriptions & markings

Liberty (front)
For The Liberation of The Philippines (back)