32 Fake medals

Does He really earned these medals?

What Marcos claims

Official Marcos biographies provide accounts on the 3 medals supposedly received during
World War II.

In addition, a website under the name of his wife Imelda Marcos has photos and newspaper
clippings that support these claims. As stated in a page entitled “Most Decorated War Hero”,
Marcos was said to have received a total of 32 medals.

Among them are the 3 medals:

•Distinguished Service Cross

•Silver Star
•Purple Heart
• Distinguished Service Cross – “for extraordinary heroism in action on or about 18 January
1942” in a “commando action” at Mount Natib, Bataan

• Silver Star – “for gallantry in action during February 1942 in Bataan while serving as
Assistant G-2, 21st Division, Philippine Army”

• Purple Heart – a clipping noted that Marcos “received 4 of these medals for being wounded
in 4 separate encounters in Bataan”

3 US medals that Marcos was said to have received are fake, according to the National
Historical Commission of the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – The National Historical Commission of the Philippines

(NHCP) released a study debunking, among others, the supposed “war medals” of former
president Ferdinand Marcos.

The commission said that Marcos “lied about receiving US medals: Distinguished Service
Cross, Silver Star, and Order of the Purple Heart, which he claimed as early as 1945.”

Yet these claims seem to persist, notably among supporters of the dictator.

What are these medals?

All 3 medals are conferred by the United States for heroic, outstanding, and courageous acts
in combat.

According to the US Department of Defense, this medal is awarded for extraordinary

heroism under the following circumstances:

• While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States.

• While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force.

• While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing
armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

Third in rank is the Silver Star, which can be given to any member of the US Armed Forces,
under the same grounds as the DSC.

Meanwhile, the Order of the Purple Heart is a military decoration awarded to any member of
the US Armed Forces who is “wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy.”
If the personnel was killed in action or died due to injuries sustained in action, he or she will
be awarded posthumously, with his or her next of kin receiving the medal.

Filipinos who served under the US military in WW2 may receive the said medals.

In Marcos’ case, the US military noted that during the liberation period, he was officially
“serving with the 14th Infantry USAFIP, NL [US Armed Forces in the Philippines, Northern
Luzon], i.e., December 1944 to May 1945 and is recognized as a major in the roster of the
14th Infantry USAFIP, NL as of 12 December 1944 to his date of discharge.”