A United States strikeThe reverse of the medal makers mounting brooch with United States makers hallmark 'Graco-GI'. The 9MM crimp brooch retaining the original intricate drop-lock long hinged pin and clasp fittings as issuedThe medal was originally instituted by the Commonwealth of the Philippines as a riband only award on 3 July 1946, to be awarded to all Filipino and United States military personnel serving in the Philippines on 4 July 1946 (Independence Day). Eligibility for the 'riband' was subsequently amended in the United States insofar as personnel had to have additionally prior earned both the Philippines Defense Medal 1941-1945, and Philippines Liberation Medals 1944-1945 'and' been serving in the Philippines on 4 July 1946 to receive Independence ribandIn 1968, President Ferdinand Marcos authorized that a medal be formally designed and struck for wear with the riband, from which time the 'Independence Medal' was worn together with other medalsCondition: EF