26 veterans earn US Congressional Gold Medals
TWENTY-four surviving Pangasinan veterans received United States Congressional Gold Medals while families of two received posthumous during the celebration of the 75th Lingayen Gulf Landings Anniversary in Pangasinan and the 13th Pangasinan Veterans’ Day.
The award is the highest civilian honor bestowed by United States government to groups or individuals whose life and service made significant impact to the American history.
US Army Chief of Joint US Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) Stephen Ma, assisted by Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Retiree Affairs (USCVRA) Reynaldo B. Mapagu, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) Administrator Ernesto B. Carolina and Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG. Lambino, representing Governor Amado I. Espino III led the presentation of the medals.
In his testimonial speech, Col. Ma paid tribute the Filipino WWII veterans who answered the call of duty to serve and defend the country alongside American soldiers.
The recipients of the US Congressional gold medal from Pangasinan are veterans aged 95-102, namely: Carlos C. Abalos, Numeriano T. Abalos, Jose V. Austria, Servillano R. Bugagon, Sergio R. Casimiro, Teofilo P. Cayao, Francisco F. Dela Cruz, Marcelo D. Estabillo, Pedro F. Fernandez, Bonifacio D. Garcia, Placido V. Laureta, Reymundo DG. Leal, Gregorio B. Martinez, Miguel T. Monegas, Lorenzo M. Mortera, Bernardo L. Narciza, Pablo V. Opriano, Federico G. Palisoc, Pedro M. Parayno, Elpidio S. Pedroche, Pedro C. Ramirez, Apolonio R. Ramirez, Valentin T. Rebugio, Pedro C. Regadio, Adriano S. Salomon, Filemon V. Sison and Pedro C. Torres while Miguel V. Aure is the only US Congressional gold medal recipient from Manila.
Meanwhile, the recipients of the Posthumous Award from Pangasinan were: Juan L. Inocencio and Miguel T. Monegas. Other Posthumous awardees from Manila include Mariano F. Mejia, Ismael R. Tomelden, Leopoldo R. Signey and. Marcelo R. De Vera
PVAO Administrator Carolina commended the provincial government led by Gov. Espino for upholding the rich history of the province through the staging of the Lingayen Gulf Landing and Veterans’ Day annually.
Vice Governor Lambino expressed the provincial government’s gratitude to the US government for recognizing the gallantry and heroism of Filipino veterans through conferment of US Congressional Gold Medal. (PIO/SMDG)
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