The Philippine Defense Medal is a military award and decoration of the Republic of the Philippines which is awarded to recognize the initial resistance against Japanese invasion between 8 December 1941 and 15 June 1942.

The award was first created in December 1944, and was issued as the Philippine Defense Ribbon.

A full-sized medal was authorized and added in July, 1945.

An individual will be considered as having participated in an engagement if they meet one of the following:[2][3][4] The Philippine Defense Medal was awarded to the United States and Philippine Commonwealth troops which defended the Philippines at Bataan and would later be captured and forced to endure the Bataan Death March.

Members of the United States Armed Forces entitled to the Philippine Defense Medal were also eligible to receive the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with a bronze "battle star" (3⁄16" service star) for participation in the defense of the Philippines.