Filipino Veterans’
Untold Story
About
This is a story of brave soldiers who served under the American flag during WWII, only to be forgotten by the U.S. government after the war.
Duty To Country is an online education project. It tells the story of Filipino World War II veterans and their advocates who, together, fought for decades for their rightful recognition and benefits from the U.S government. The project features Under One Flag, an in-depth visual story, hours of oral histories, and classroom teaching resources. The Duty To Country project seeks to enshrine the stories and sacrifice of Filipino veterans in American History. More >
Online Exhibition
Under One Flag: The untold story of the United States and the Philippines fighting together under the U.S. Flag.
Under One Flag documents a century of history, featuring first-hand accounts of living veterans, historians, and community advocates. It explores how Filipinos were enlisted to fight under the U.S. flag and shines a light on their service and sacrifice during World War II. It recounts how the U.S. government turned its back on Filipino veterans after the war, denying them benefits and recognition for their service.
Under One Flag showcases archival photographs, films, illustrations, and animations that bring this history to life for readers of all ages. It aims to recognize these heroes, and to empower a new generation to reflect on what we owe our country. Explore >
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The Story
Explore the story through a menu of chapters, including the Introduction, The Colonial Period, The Crucible of War, Promises Made, Promises Broken, The Long Road to Equity, and the Conclusion.
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Animations
Experience the stories of veterans and activists brought to life through short animations, ranging from firefights in the jungle to protests in Congress.
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Illustrations
Witness significant moments across this history brought to life through the richly detailed illustrations crafted by artist Aria Villafranca.
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Profile Cards
Learn the roles played by key people in this story by browsing their profile cards, featuring illustrated portraits and short biographies.
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Oral Histories
With 20+ hours of videos, Duty to Country showcases a rich archive of compelling interviews. The archive provides short, topical compilations, highlights from each interview, the full interviews, and searchable transcripts. This timely effort captures stories told by the last of the living veterans, their families, activists, and historians.
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For Educators
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Graphic Novel
Coming in Fall, 2023
In the Shadow of Giants is an upcoming graphic novel commissioned by the Duty To Country project to engage the next generation of Americans in this rich history. This work of historical fiction tells the story of a young Filipino American who discovers that her grandmother lived a secret life as a Guerrilla during World War II. It recounts her life during the Japanese Occupation and the lasting impact of the war and its aftermath on Filipino Americans today. Written by Duty to Country producer Matthew Fisher and illustrated by Under One Flag artist Aria Villafranca, the story is inspired by the real-world experiences of veterans and their descendants as captured through the Duty To Country Oral History project. In the Shadow of Giants is expected to be released in Fall of 2023.