[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 42 (Monday, October 21, 1996)]
[Page 2103]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6943--Honoring the Filipino Veterans of World War II

October 17, 1996

By the President of the United States

of America

 A Proclamation

    During the dark days of World War II, nearly 100,000 soldiers of the 
Philippine Commonwealth Army provided a ray of hope in the Pacific as 
they fought alongside United States and Allied forces for 4 long years 
to defend and reclaim the Philippine Islands from Japanese aggression. 
Thousands more Filipinos joined U.S. Armed Forces immediately after the 
war and served in occupational duty throughout the Pacific Theater. For 
their extraordinary sacrifices in defense of democracy and liberty, we 
owe them our undying gratitude.
    Valiant Filipino soldiers fought, died, and suffered in some of the 
bloodiest battles of World War II, defending beleaguered Bataan and 
Corregidor, and thousands of Filipino prisoners of war endured the 
infamous Bataan Death March and years of captivity. Their many guerrilla 
actions slowed the Japanese takeover of the Western Pacific region and 
allowed U.S. forces the time to build and prepare for the allied 
counterattack on Japan. Filipino troops fought side-by-side with U.S. 
forces to secure their island nation as the strategic base from which 
the final effort to defeat Japan was launched.
    This month, as we mark the anniversary of General MacArthur's return 
to the Philippines, we acknowledge the important role Filipino soldiers 
played in turning back aggression, defending liberty, and preserving 
democracy, and we extend to them our abiding thanks.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the 
Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 
20, 1996, as a day Honoring the Filipino Veterans of World War II. I 
urge all Americans to recall the courage, sacrifice, and loyalty of 
Filipino veterans of World War II and honor them for their contributions 
to our freedom.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day 
of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-six, and 
of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
twenty-first.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., October 21, 
1996]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on October 18, and it will be published in the Federal 
Register on October 22.