FORT HOOD, TX — Dozens of people gathered at Fort Hood Friday to honor a Filipino soldier who put his life on the line during World War II.
Private Jose Manzano-Somera enlisted in the New Philippine Scouts in 1946.
PVT Manzano-Somera was one of 250,000 Filipinos that fought alongside American Soldiers in WWII. More than 57,000 of those soldiers never made it home.
Decades later, thanks to the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, Filipino soldiers, including PVT Manzano-Somera, are being honored for their service and sacrifice.
“When the world needed it most, he and his fellow soldiers answered the call and put their lives on the line,” Congressman Roger Williams said. “The service of the greatest generation helped make our nation safe and most prosperous."
PVT Manzano-Somera received the Congressional Gold Medal on Friday.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor given to civilians by the United States Congress, and it’s one that wasn't extended to Filipino Veterans until 2015.
"I was proud to support the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act to collectively award the medal to Filipino veterans in honor of their dedicated service. It was recognition that was long overdue, I think we can all agree to that,” Congressman Williams said. "We don't say thank you enough, we need to say, "Thank you," whether we see them at the grocery store or in the airport we just need to say, "Thank you.""
