Lasallian Jesus A. Villamor: Stalwart fighter. Military icon. War hero.
Very few men have ever made their mark on history much like Col. Jesus “Jess” Villamor. Born of notable Ilocano stock – his father Ignacio, a jurist, is known as the first Filipino president of the University of the Philippines – Jess enrolled in the kindergarten class of De La Salle College and had an early start on his Lasallian education, joining his two older brothers Jose (HS ’25) and Florendo (HS ’26); by the time he reached high school his ambitions of becoming an aviation pilot were not out of reach. After further studies at the Philippine Air Taxi Company and an acquired license as a transport pilot in Dallas, Texas, he went back to his Alma Mater and in 1936 earned his commerce degree for eligibility in the Philippine Army Air Corps.
Upon commission, Jess was sent to the United States Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas for further training and became a probationary Third Lieutenant in the US Air Force’s Strategic Bombing Squadron in just three years. He returned to Manila a couple of years later to a post of captain and commander of the PAAC Flying School and led the presently-called 6th Tactical Fighter Squadron before the 1941 Japanese invasion.
One fateful day in December 1941 saw Jess’ mettle put to the test, as Mitsubishi bombers and enemy fighter planes flew over Cavite and Clark Field, Manila. Jess, along with his own squadron of P-26 fighters, challenged the hostile engagements in the air and shot down an enemy Zero, preventing any damage to any Filipino plane, camp, or soldier. He had become the first war hero of the country.
Jess’ valor and courage under fire during the December 10 and subsequent actions on the December 12 aerial engagements against the Japanese earned him the Distinguished Service Cross and Oak Leaf Cluster respectively, with both being personally awarded him by General Douglas MacArthur. He is the only Filipino to have received the award twice.
Further military activities included piloting observation planes against the enemy, an appointment as an Office of Strategic Studies intelligence officer, and several other army intelligence posts with the Allied Intelligence Bureau in the Philippines, United States, and Australia.
During the Philippine post-war years he became the appointed administrator of the Civil Aeronautic Board of the Philippines; he resigned in 1948 and served as a consultant to the US Civil Aeronautic Board. His American citizenship called him to service during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars for army aviation and intelligence work with the Central Intelligence Agency.
On January 21, 1954, Lieutenant Colonel Jesus Villamor was awarded the Philippines’ highest military bravery recognition, the Medal of Valor, by President Ramon Magsaysay. The Philippine Air Force’s primary base in Metro Manila was renamed the Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base in honor of the first Filipino hero of World War II. Jess succumbed to lung cancer on October 28, 1971; his remains lie at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Courtesy of De La Salle Alumni Association
FEEDBACK
Andy de los Reyes wrote [May 8, 2007 9:40 PM]: We have a lot of achievers in the aviation industry, both in the military and private sectors.
My batchmate, Paulo Justo GS 78, who died in a plane crash near Cagayan de Oro while piloting a Cebu Pacific flight was the recipient of the McMicking Award in his Class in the PAF Flying School. The McMicking Award (top gun) is given to the highest in academics and flying proficiency of the class.
Gen. Tereso Isleta of HS 56? He was a member of the Blue Diamonds.
So with Gen. Carlos Martel, a member of the blue diamonds and the presidential pilot and vice commander of the Air Force in 1986.
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Upon commission, Jess was sent to the United States Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas for further training and became a probationary Third Lieutenant in the US Air Force’s Strategic Bombing Squadron in just three years. He returned to Manila a couple of years later to a post of captain and commander of the PAAC Flying School and led the presently-called 6th Tactical Fighter Squadron before the 1941 Japanese invasion.
One fateful day in December 1941 saw Jess’ mettle put to the test, as Mitsubishi bombers and enemy fighter planes flew over Cavite and Clark Field, Manila. Jess, along with his own squadron of P-26 fighters, challenged the hostile engagements in the air and shot down an enemy Zero, preventing any damage to any Filipino plane, camp, or soldier. He had become the first war hero of the country.
Jess’ valor and courage under fire during the December 10 and subsequent actions on the December 12 aerial engagements against the Japanese earned him the Distinguished Service Cross and Oak Leaf Cluster respectively, with both being personally awarded him by General Douglas MacArthur. He is the only Filipino to have received the award twice.
Further military activities included piloting observation planes against the enemy, an appointment as an Office of Strategic Studies intelligence officer, and several other army intelligence posts with the Allied Intelligence Bureau in the Philippines, United States, and Australia.
During the Philippine post-war years he became the appointed administrator of the Civil Aeronautic Board of the Philippines; he resigned in 1948 and served as a consultant to the US Civil Aeronautic Board. His American citizenship called him to service during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars for army aviation and intelligence work with the Central Intelligence Agency.
On January 21, 1954, Lieutenant Colonel Jesus Villamor was awarded the Philippines’ highest military bravery recognition, the Medal of Valor, by President Ramon Magsaysay. The Philippine Air Force’s primary base in Metro Manila was renamed the Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base in honor of the first Filipino hero of World War II. Jess succumbed to lung cancer on October 28, 1971; his remains lie at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Courtesy of De La Salle Alumni Association
FEEDBACK
Andy de los Reyes wrote [May 8, 2007 9:40 PM]: We have a lot of achievers in the aviation industry, both in the military and private sectors.
My batchmate, Paulo Justo GS 78, who died in a plane crash near Cagayan de Oro while piloting a Cebu Pacific flight was the recipient of the McMicking Award in his Class in the PAF Flying School. The McMicking Award (top gun) is given to the highest in academics and flying proficiency of the class.
Gen. Tereso Isleta of HS 56? He was a member of the Blue Diamonds.
So with Gen. Carlos Martel, a member of the blue diamonds and the presidential pilot and vice commander of the Air Force in 1986.
RELATED ARTICLE
