A Filipino American World War II war hero who was awarded the Medal of Freedom is being laid to rest today in upstate New York.
Florence Ebersole Smith Finch died in December at the age of 101, reported the New York Daily News.
Born in the Philippines, she is the daughter of a Filipino mother and a White father.
According to the Ithaca Journal, she worked closely with the Philippine underground while employed by the Japanese-controlled Philippine Liquid Fuel Distributing Union. She secretly diverted supplies and food to the resistance and helped sabotage the Japanese occupation Forces.
Her actions were uncovered and she spent five months being tortured while in prison.
American troops freed her in 1945 and soon after she moved to Buffalo where she joined the Coast Guard.
She became the first woman ever to receive the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon.
“I feel very humble because my activities in the war effort were trivial compared with those of the people who gave their lives for their country.”
She married Charles Edward Smith who she met while working at the U.S. Army Intelligence Headquarters in Manila. He was killed in action in 1942 just months after they married.
She once said she joined the Coast Guard to “Avenge the death of my husband.”
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. You can show your support by liking our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/asamnews, following us on Twitter, sharing our stories, interning or joining our staff.
RE: 101-year old Filipino American Medal of Freedom Winner To Be Buried with Full Military Honors:All Filipinos on the Philippine Islands between 1898 and 1946 were American nationals. The Philippines gained independence from the United States in 1946.