2017-06-21 Wed

On 15th June, the Commission of Fine Arts recommended the proposed designs for two congressional gold medals honouring World War II military expeditions.

The Office of Strategic Services of World War II is honoured on one of the coins. The other one celebrates Filipino Veterans of World War II who served with U.S. during World War II. Six OSS male and female “operatives” performing secretive activities is shown on one of the coins.

The reverse features a quote by the head of OSS - Maj. Gen. William J. Donovan, the OSS Spearhead and a map of the Western Hemisphere. The quote reads: ONLY / BY DECISIONS / OF NATIONAL POLICY / BASED UPON ACCURATE / INFORMATION / DO WE HAVE A CHANCE /OF A PEACE / THAT WILL ENDURE. A Filipino scout, an infantryman and a guerrilla warrior is shown on the other coin that honours Filipino Veterans of World War II.

Some changes were suggested on the placement of one of the three men. The idea was accepted by the team. The reverse of the recommended design features the flags of the U.S. and the Philippines and a list of important battles in the war - Bataan, Corregidor, Leyte, and Southern Philippines.