99-year old war vet, 9 others get Gold Medal award

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Private Democrito Domingo, 99 -year old veteran of World War II, arrived at the Emiliana Hall with his immediate relatives inside the compound of the residence of Bataan Gov. Albert Garcia past 9 in the morning Monday to receive the much coveted US Congressional Gold Medal Award.
Other awardees: Private First Class Florentino Platero, 88, who served as member of Morong Regiment; Private Macario Roque, 88, who belonged to Fil-American guerillas that conducted intelligence operation; Private Rogel Viray, 91, who fought with the US 38th Division in the Battle of Zigzag Pass; Private Leopoldo Gunsay, 91, who participated in both combat and sabotage operations against the Japanese in Morong town; and Private Francisca Dela Fuente, 91, part of 1st Regiment of the Bataan Military District tasked to collect arms and organize guerilla units.
Posthumous awardees: Ssgt.Gabriel Layug, Capt. Qurico Evangelista, and Maj. Pedro Quezon. The awards were presented by Kevin McAllister, assistant director of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

McAllister said during the award ceremony that Filipino veterans really deserve the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor given by the US Congress.
“The award is collectively awarded to the Filipino veterans of World War II for their distinguished achievements and contributions for the United States during the World War II,” said McAllister.
The first awarding of US Congressional Medal Award to the WW II Filipino veterans was held on October 25, 2017 in Washington D.C.