Veteran Presented with Congressional Gold Medal at Ceremony in Mililani

His son, Air Force Veteran Fortunato Sapida Jr. -nicknamed “Sonny”- was there with him, as was his VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) Social Worker Germaine Okino. The medal was presented by Ret. Army Veteran Joseph Trinidad -nicknamed “Jay”- and was presided over by Wilfredo Tungol, director for the Hawaii regional office of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project.

“When Germaine called me, I had never even heard of this medal before,” said Air Force Veteran Fortunato Sapida Jr. “I’m glad she put my father in for it, and I’m glad I could be here to see it be presented to him.” 

Ret. Navy Veteran Fortunato Sapida Sr. -the awardee- didn’t give a speech. However, he did mention that he spent his career in the Navy as a cook, and that he was in the Korean War and Vietnam as well as joining in 1946 near the end of WWII. Wilfredo Tungol noted that in 1946 many sailors were getting out of the Navy, and Filipino citizens saw it as an opportunity to fill the ranks and get United States citizenship. They were put into less prestigious jobs such as cooks and stewards, but many -such as Mr. Sapida Senior- still considered it a good career path.

“I knew my wife all my life. She was the girl next door,” said Sapida Sr. “After I has served in the Navy for four years, I went home to visit. That’s when she said she’d marry me. Her name was Naty, and I always had a crush on her.” 

In 2017, Filipino Veterans of World War II were collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the United States Congress. This recognition came over 75 years after their service during the war. The medal was awarded to those who served honorably in an active-duty status between July 26, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946, under the command of the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), as well as a few Navy Veterans who served in the same area. Also included were members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, the Philippine Scouts, the Philippine Constabulary, recognized guerrilla units, and other specified Filipino units.

While this recognition came too late for many Veterans who had already passed away, it serves as an important historical acknowledgment of the crucial role Filipino soldiers played in the Allied victory in the Pacific during World War II. Wilfredo Tungol shared some information about the background of the medal and the larger historical context during the ceremony, as he urged everyone to tell the stories of the Veterans who fought in the Philippines.

“We provide a copy of the public law and some background on the medal because we hope you’ll tell your children and grandchildren these stories,” Tungol said. “We don’t want the memories of these Veterans to be forgotten. About 90% of the recipients for this medal are Army, but Mr. Sapida is one of the few Navy Veterans from that time. We’re so grateful to be able to present this medal to him.” 

Ret. Navy Veteran Fortunato Sapida Sr. was always fiercely independent, and only enrolled for VAPIHCS care a few months ago. He had his first doctor’s appointment the day before the ceremony.  His son, Fortunato Sapida Jr. has been enrolled for years at a VA clinic where he lives in Texas. He is working with his father’s social worker to help navigate the benefits that his father may be eligible for. 

“When I saw in his records that he was a WWII Veteran, I went to look at things he might be eligible for,” said Social Worker Germaine Okino. “I found out about the Congressional Gold Medal for Distinguished Service, and with Mr. Sapida and his son’s permission, I put in the paperwork. We want to make sure our Veterans get all the recognition that they have earned as well as their VA benefits.”