Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
EDGEWATER, Colo. — Staff Sgt. Dante C. Desagun, Jr., right, displays the Congressional Gold Medal with his wife, Melissa, center, and Retired Maj. Gen. Antonio Tuguba, left, he received on behalf of his late grandfather, Felicisimo M. De Claro, for his service during World War II at the Filipino-American Community of Colorado Hall in Edgewater, Colo., April 28, 2018. De Claro served for four years during the war in both the Philippine and U.S. Armies. (Photo courtesy of Melissa Desagun)
By Staff Sgt. Scott J. Evans
4th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
EDGEWATER, Colo. — This spring, a 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Soldier accepted the Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of his late grandfather for his service during World War II, at the Filipino-American Community of Colorado Hall in Edgewater.
The medal, along with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, is considered one of the highest civilian awards granted by Congress.
Growing up, Staff Sgt. Dante Desagun Jr., a financial management technician with 4th SB, was very close to his grandfather, Felicisimo M. De Claro, and had a deep appreciation for his World War II military service.
During a chance meeting, Desagun met retired Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Simbre at the Philippines consulate in Colorado Springs, where Simbre was representing the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project during an outreach program. Simbre was also promoting the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal, and explained the process on how to apply and where to send supporting documents.
Clik here to view.
EDGEWATER, Colo. — Staff Sgt. Dante C. Desagun Jr., center, stands with Retired Lt. Gen. Edward Soriano, left, and Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Simbre, right, after receiving a Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of his late grandfather at the Filipino-American Community of Colorado Hall in Edgewater, April 28, 2018. The Congressional Gold Medal and other benefits were denied to Filipino veterans of World War II until the restriction was repealed by law in December 2016. (Photo courtesy of Melissa Desagun)
“I thought it was important to apply because a lot of my family didn’t know a lot about his service, and it brought our family closer,” Desagun explained. “I came to the States when I was 7, and for a long time he was a parental figure for me.”
De Claro began his military service under the U.S. Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) under the Philippine Commonwealth Army. He enlisted on Oct. 30, 1942, at Taal, Batangas, as a rifleman, patrolling the area around Mount Durungao in the Philippines against Japanese movements. Soon after, he transferred as a rifleman to the regular U.S. Army, serving with the 11th Airborne Division.
“He was always proud of his service,” Desagun said.
Following the conclusion of the war, De Claro was honorably discharged in 1946, having earned the rank of sergeant.
After his military service, De Claro became a sugarcane farmer and married his wife, Natividad. The couple had been married for almost 70 years at the time of De Claro’s death in December 2013. Together, the couple has six children, 16 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
“He was very content with his life,” Desagun said. “He was a quiet, caring person.”
Until recently, Philippine Soldiers were denied benefits by the U.S. government, to which they had originally been guaranteed. It wasn’t until late 2016 that authorization was granted for Philippine Army veterans to receive the Congressional Gold Medal and other benefits, which had previously been denied them.
More than a dozen Philippine veterans were honored during the event.
“This is the culmination of 75 years for the U.S. Congress to formally recognize over 260,000 Filipinos/Filipino-American Soldiers and Guerrillas,” Retired Maj. Gen. Antonio Tuguba said, during the ceremony.
In the near future, Desagun has plans of returning to the Philippines to hold an informal ceremony, which will celebrate his grandfather’s life, honor his service and ensure his memory endures.