Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill Number

S. 4933

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-06-24: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Last Updated

2026-07-07T05:08:21Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose This legislation authorizes the collective award of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor individuals who fought for or with the United States against Imperial Japanese forces in the Pacific theater during World War II and became prisoners of war between December 8, 1941, and August 15, 1945. It recognizes their service and sacrifices, including in battles such as the defense of Bataan and Corregidor.

Key Provisions

• Findings: The bill details the historical context, including Japanese attacks after Pearl Harbor, the defense of the Philippines by U.S. and Filipino forces, the Bataan Death March (resulting in thousands of deaths), the surrender of Corregidor, and the imprisonment of U.S. personnel, including female nurses.
• Definitions: It specifies eligible recipients as those who served honorably in defensive battles in the Pacific theater (excluding the Pacific Fleet or Hawaiian Department) or became prisoners of war, including certain civilians granted veteran status; the Pacific theater covers areas like Shanghai, the Central Pacific, and Southwest Pacific.
• Medal Award: The Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate arrange for the gold medal, designed and struck by the Secretary of the Treasury.
• Display and Duplicates: The medal goes to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History for display and research, with a suggestion for loans to related sites; the Secretary may produce and sell bronze duplicates to cover costs.
• Funding: Costs are covered by the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund, with proceeds from duplicate sales returned to the fund.
• Status: The medals are designated as national medals under existing U.S. Code provisions for numismatic items.

Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill introduces no major alterations to current statutes. It creates a specific, one-time Congressional Gold Medal award under established procedures for such honors, without amending broader laws on military recognition or medals.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The U.S. Mint handles design, striking, and sales; the Smithsonian manages display and potential loans.
• Citizens: It provides formal recognition to surviving veterans, former prisoners of war, and their families, potentially aiding historical education and public awareness of Pacific theater events.
• International Relations: No direct effects are outlined, though the inclusion of Filipino forces highlights U.S.-Philippines wartime cooperation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Eligible veterans, prisoners of war, and civilians from the specified Pacific battles (including U.S. Armed Forces members, Filipino soldiers and civilians, and female nurses).
• Their families and descendants.
• Veterans' organizations and historical groups focused on World War II Pacific campaigns.
• The U.S. Mint and Smithsonian Institution.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications Congressional Gold Medals require legislative approval as a form of national recognition, consistent with constitutional authority over honors. The bill's emphasis on collective award and inclusion of Filipino participants and women in combat roles underscores a broad acknowledgment of diverse contributors, with no apparent conflicts with existing constitutional or legal frameworks.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

Cosponsors (28)

Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ], Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO], Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND], Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS], Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL], Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT], Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN], Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN], Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA], Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

Recent Actions

• 2026-06-24: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
• 2026-06-24: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act — issued 2026-06-24 — PDF (8 pages)