Commemorative Envelopes


Here are a few of the commemorative envelopes that celebrate some of the contemporary milestones and events in recent Philippine Scout history. Pete Sarmiento, a philatelist and the son of a Philippine Scout, designed these pictorial cancellations, which the USPS approved.

100th Anniversary of the Philippine Scouts

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The Philippine Scouts turned 100 years old in 2001. The Washington, DC cancellation was chosen because it is the location of Congress, which approved the formation of the Philippine Scouts. Two thirds of the nearly 12,000 Philippine Scouts at the outbreak of the war were in the Philippine Division. Significant numbers also were in the 26th Cavalry (PS), 43rd Infantry (PS), 86th and 88th Field Artillery (PS), 91st and 92nd Coastal Artillery (PS), as well as various Service Detachments.

Philippine Scouts Plaque Dedication at Fort Sam Houston

On September 27, 2003, members of the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society dedicated twin plaques honoring the Philippine Scouts and the three Scout Medal of Honor recipients at the Ft. Sam Houston museum. The two plaques are featured on this envelope. Read more about the dedication here.

Grand Opening of the WWII Memorial

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This envelope celebrated the newly opened WWII Memorial on The Mall in Washington, D.C, on May 29, 2004. One of the pillars is dedicated to the Philippine Islands, and “Bataan” and “Corregidor” are etched along the edge of one of the fountains.

General Jonathan Wainwright: 65th Anniversary of V-J Day

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This envelope celebrates the 65th Anniversary of the end of WWII, culminating with the formal surrender of Japan to the Allies on September 2, 1945. Present at the signing of the surrender was Lt. General (later General) Jonathan M. Wainwright IV.

A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy West Point in 1906, Wainwright commanded the Philippine Division before WWII from November 1940-1941, preparing the American and Philippine Scout soldiers of the unit for the impending war. During the war, he headed the North Luzon Force, and when General MacArthur left for Australia, he oversaw all the U.S. Forces in the Philippines. With his troops tired, surrounded, and hungry, Wainwright eventually surrendered the USFIP to the Japanese on May 6, 1942. He was sent to several POW camps and the Allies liberated him in 1945. General MacArthur requested his presence at the surrender ceremony on the decks of the U.S.S. Missouri. Congress and President Harry Truman later awarded him the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Philippine Defense. He retired as a General. It should be noted that this commemorative envelope also marks the 57th anniversary of the general’s passing.

150th Anniversary of the Arlington National Cemetery

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On June 15, 2014, the Arlington National Cemetery turned 150 years old. A number of Philippine Scouts have been laid to rest here. This envelope shows a sampling of the Philippine Scout heroes found in Arlington, including Gen. Jonathan Wainwright IV, Gen. Harold Johnson, Col. Maximiano Janairo, Brig. Gen. Royal Reynolds, Jr., Col. Melvin Rosen, Col. Edwin Ramsey, Lt. Col. Santiago Guevara, Capt. Rafael Arengo, Capt. Vicente Nazareno, Capt. Pedro Sarmiento, Capt. Tomas Vargas, 1st Lt. Rudolfo Zepeda, M/Sgt. Osmundo Cabigas, and M/Sgt. Benito Nudo.

Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony for the Filipino WWII Veterans

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The U.S. Congress passed, and President Obama signed into law, the Filipino Veterans of WWII Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015. To celebrate this momentous occasion, a Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) Ceremony was held at the U.S. Capitol’s Emancipation Hall. This envelope commemorates that moment. The design includes the front and back of the medal, the U.S. and Philippine flags, and the insignia of units that have been awarded the CGM:

  • First row: 1st Filipino Regiment

  • Second row: Philippine Division, Philippine Department, Philippine Army Air Corps, 1st Division (Phil. Army), 2nd Division (PA)

  • Third row: 11th Division (PA), 21st Division (PA), 31st Division (PA), 41st Division (PA), 51st Division (PA)

  • Fourth row: 61st Division (PA), 71st Division (PA), 81st Division (PA), 91st Division (PA), 101st Division (PA)