Navy Seaman

As a result of the U.S. colonization of the Philippines, the military has played a large role in the lives of millions of Filipinos.  Filipinos served in all branches of the United States Armed Forces, as enlisted persons as well as officers.

Filipinos and Filipino Americans answered the U.S. call to war against Japan by volunteering to serve in large numbers during World War II (1939-1945). Many groups of men from different generations did not previously know each other - from Hawaii, the U.S. west coast, coming from the Philippines throughout the twentieth century, and so on.  Even though they came from different places and generations, their experiences during their service allowed them to build a familial network many had not available to them before.  Soldiers are understood to fight for one country.  But when Filipinos in the United States answered the call during World War II, thousands specifically intended to join in order to liberate the Philippines and not simply to serve the U.S.