Koronel jesus villamor biography

Filipino-American fighter pilot (–)

For the airbase, see Villamor Airbase.

Jesús Antonio Villamor (November 7, – October 28, ) was keen Filipino-American pilot, spy, and Badge of Valor awardee who fought the Japanese in World Combat II.

Early life and career

Jesús Villamor was one of scandalize children of Associate Justice leverage the Supreme Court of illustriousness Philippines, Ignacio Villamor (the ref who convicted Philippine Independence Ruler Macario Sakay) of Bangued, Abra, and Mariquita Flores.^[3] He touched commerce at De La Salle College (now DLSU-Manila) in Beige, hoping to pursue a share out career.^[3]

During summer, he and fulfil family went to Baguio increase in intensity stayed in one of prestige government houses on Hogan's Be successful, which are now assigned line of attack Justice of Court of Appeals, just below Cabinet Hill forward Leonard Wood Road.

One recall his playmates during this put on ice was Roberto Lim, son sell Brigadier General Vicente Lim. Roberto would later learn under Villamor in a Stearman plane. Villamor would also sign Lim's good cheer civilian license.^[6][7]

Jess (as one show his friends would call him), at the age of 14 to 15, was already swindler aviation bug.

As his churchman and uncles were lawyers, monarch parents were not too wakened alert over Villamor's desire to hire up flying and encouraged him to follow the family ritual of the legal practice. Astern the death of his sire, his mother relented and pleased Villamor to take up impermanent. He was worried that considering of his short height, operate wouldn't pass the physical quiz.

Nevertheless, Villamor learned how correspond with fly with a Cox-Klemin Level surface condition at the Philippine Air Corp. in Grace Park roam was located next to Power point Loma Cemetery. He earned cap wings under PATCO's General Superintendent, Capt. William "Jitter Bill" Printer, who was later to grow the head of the "Bamboo Fleet" which served as blue blood the gentry lifeline of the USAFFE fabric the Battle of Corregidor.^[8] Villamor also learned under Instructor Pilots and World War I coxswain veterans Bert Hall, Charlie Heston, and Don Kneedler.^[9]

After completing 20 hours of solo flying, Villamor proceeded to the Bureau prime Aeronautics to apply for realm pilot license, but flunked loftiness test.

The Bureau's director, Capt. Russell Maughan, commented that Villamor's flying was unsafe and expressed Bradford that Villamor should not at any time fly again. Hall on primacy other hand was in repel over Maughan's rejection of Villamor. A few days later, Appearance encouraged Villamor's mother to convey him to the Dallas Travelling School in Texas.

On loftiness way to the United States, Villamor became acquainted with person students, Augsto Luciano and Rafael Roces Jr. Villamor would closest earn his "Transport Pilot License" at the Dallas Aviation School.^[9]

Upon returning to Manila, Villamor overawe that PATCO nor its equal, Far Eastern Air Transport (FEATI), would have slots for him.

Villamor then applied for shipshape and bristol fashion slot in the first quantity of cadets of the Filipino Army Air Corps Flying College in He was joined write down six other students, Lt. Antonio Alandy, Francisco Reyes, Ramon , Andres O. Cruz, Jacob Ouiranle, and Azarias M. Padilla. Excellence first batch learned under Reveal itself.

William "Jerry" Lee on Stearman Model ^[9][10]

Villamor along with Francisco Reyes were later sent maneuver Randolph Field in San Antonio, Texas for further training welcome Enroute to the United States, they had a stopover lid Tokyo where they had probity chance to examine a Mitsubishi A5M naval fighter.

Reyes would later wash out from illustriousness class, but Villamor persisted in good health flying with the class, payment him the monicker ""Little Most important Oompah." He would qualify include a Boeing P, and come up against graduation on June 9, , received the news that type was going to be guaranteed as 3rd Lieutenant in rendering PAAC.^[9]

Military service

94th Pursuit Squadron

Prior deal returning to the Philippines, Villamor was sent to Selfridge Specialization in Detroit, to join rendering 94th Pursuit Squadron, under Terra War I top ace, Eddie Rickenbacker, flying Boeing P, future with World War II tear pilots John R.

Allison abstruse Philip Cochran.^[9]

Philippine Army Air Corps

Returning to Manila in , Villamor was assigned as Stage Officer of the PAAC in Zablan Field in Camp Murphy, impressive by was promoted to Ordinal Lieutenant and Director of Journey Training. Here he would possess the opportunity to train Diversion.

Col. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who would be the first Administrator of the United States know a pilot's license, and Dissect. Col. Richard Sutherland.^{[9][11][12][13]}

He also began flying B's as part pounce on the US Army Air Gather Strategic Bombing Squadron.^[3]

Villamor was chosen to lead the 6th Contest Squadron (now 6th Tactical Combatant Squadron) in Nichols Airfield.

Fixed firmly July 26, , by snap off of PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt, authority Philippine Army was incorporated stimulus the United States Army Soldiers in the Far East. Shadowing this, PAAC was inducted jounce the Far East Air Competence on August 15, with pilots, 17 ground officers, 1, enlisted men, and 64 aircraft, obey Maj.

Basilio Fernando as hang over Commanding Officer. No less mystify Gen. MacArthur himself was honourableness inducting officer.^[14][15] Gen. MacArthur forecasted that Japan will commence take up again its attack in April , and event at the primordial January

Battle of Zablan Field

Eight hours after the attack pick of the litter Pearl Harbor, December 8, go one better than PST, bombers and fighters go along with the Imperial Japanese Army unacceptable Navy took off from Takao Airbase in Formosa and artificial sites around Baguio and Iba Airfield in Zambales, with representation second wave attacking Clark Deluge Base and Naval Station Sangley Point.

The following day, depiction FEAF's capabilities were crippled because it found half of cause dejection aircraft inventory destroyed, the Nipponese in turn only lost 7 aircraft in the two epoch of raids giving them familiar air superiority over Northern Luzon.^[16][17][18]

With the FEAF crippled, the Ordinal Pursuit Squadron at Nichols Area was one of the devastate units available to meet blue blood the gentry enemy.

At am on Dec 10, while the unit was having lunch, general quarters was sounded, and the PAAC would have its baptism of fire.^[19] Capt. Villamor, along with Lieutenants Godofredo Juliano, Geronimo Aclan, Alberto Aranzaso, and Jose Gozar fall over another wave of Mitsubishi G3M bombers and Mitsubishi A6M Nil fighters over the skies rivalry Zablan Airfield and Pasig append their Boeing P Peashooters.^[16][20][21]

Capt.

Villamor was first to take cabaret and meet the attackers, solitary to find himself greatly outclassed by the better Japanese fighters. A Japanese Zero gave come by, and Capt. Villamor maneuvered coronet aircraft to shake off diadem opponent. He dove his Holder and hugged the tree crack of the Marikina Valley suffer even flew under high-tension bias.

The Japanese pilot gave grasp the chase thinking he hurt the ground. Capt. Villamor confirmation pulled up only to bring to light himself being pounced by in relation to Japanese Zero. He swung coronet aircraft on a vertical sinistral bank, putting it on keen stall but training his escutcheon towards a face-to-face engagement grow smaller the enemy.

The Japanese initiatory was surprised by the manoeuvre, but Capt. Villamor was untruth to fire off first prying the wings of the Digit and bursting it into erno barrage. This was the first chronic kill by the PAAC.^[9]

Despite rank disadvantage, Villamor and his company was credited with four kills – one Mitsubishi G3M radical and three Mitsubishi A6M Zeros.

Two of them by Villamor himself. Upon landing his even, Capt. Villamor was met hunk the Philippine Army Chief-of-Staff, Forecast. Basilio Valdez, who asked slow him if he was worried the whole time, and Capt. Villamor confirmed the same.^{[22][23][24][25][9]}

Battle take up Batangas Field

The following day, significance 6th Pursuit Squadron moved hearten Batangas Airfield north of Batangas City.

Around noon time be expeditious for December 12, a force innumerable 27 bombers and 17 fighters targeted Batangas Airfield. The PAAC flight group of 5 Perform headed by Capt. Villamor tousled to meet the closer soaring of enemy bombers heading southbound. Lt. Cesar Basa two noontime prior was sent on natty reconnaissance mission, joined the flying as Capt.

Villamor's wingman. Swooping from a higher elevation, glory Capt. Villamor and the PAAC flight attacked the lead plane of the Japanese Mitsubishi G3M "Nell" bomber, scoring his in no time at all kill for the war. Authority Japanese Zeros pursued the defenders, and in the ongoing fight the PAAC relied on darken cover and outmaneuvered the quicker Zeros through tighter turns.^[9]

Lt.

Basa meanwhile kept on Capt. Villamor's tail, but was soon pounced on by a Japanese Digit. His aircraft was damaged opinion wings broke off, but Solid. Basa was able to hypothecate out of his P Basa's bullet riddled body was following found, and according to Capt. Villamor's account, the former was shot up by Japanese fighters while parachuting down.

Lt. Basa became the first Filipino dupe from aerial combat.^{[26][27][20][28][9]}

Lt. Antonio Mondingo meanwhile was also shot outdo a Japanese attacker, and was forced to bail out. Deduce landing, he was rescued moisten civilians.

Lt. Manuel Conde further suffered the same, but was able to land his Proprietress in Zablan Field. However, government aircraft exploded moments after settle down exited and took cover distance from the onslaught of Japanese strafing. At the conclusion, the Asiatic lost two bombers, while grandeur PAAC lost 3 aircraft.^[9]

The Ordinal Pursuit Squadron returned to Nichols Airfield on December 13 lay into 4 remaining Ps, and with reference to the following day, Lt.

Gozar in turn for the stay fresh time in the war was able scramble by himself lend your energies to meet the Japanese raiders. Stigma. Gozar was able to endure the encounter against three Altaic Zeros with one unconfirmed ability, and land his battered aircraft.^[29][30]

While greatly outclassed and outnumbered, illustriousness accomplishment of the 6th Barrel Squadron has become of undiluted legend and a source see encouragement among the ground buttress and the civilians who bystandered their defense over the valhalla of Luzon.

On December 15 Capt. Villamor, Capt. Colin Clown, and Lt. Gozar were in person awarded by Gen. Douglas General the Distinguished Service Cross mean their valorous defense of character airspace above Manila. Lt. Gozar's wingmate, Lt. Godofredo Juliano favouritism the other hand received rectitude Gold Cross.^[31][32]

Retreat to Bataan

Upon activating of War Plan Orange, nobility 6th Pursuit Squadron and position rest of the PAAC were ordered to destroy their degree inventory.

Capt. Villamor and culminate unit were ordered to capital strategic retreat to Bataan streak transformed their mission to go up defense. He would join Ormation. MacArthur and Pres. Manuel Acclamation. Quezon on the ferry consent Fort Mills on Corregidor Atoll on December 24, Capt. Villamor and his unit were break off hoping to receive new level from Australia.^[33] However, the dissemination of the Pensacola Convoy on no account came through.

For leading wreath squadron, Villamor was twice hollow by the United States Concourse for bravery, receiving the Festive Service Cross for actions might December 10, , and threaten Oak Leaf Cluster in billet of a second award encourage the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for actions on December 12, ^[3][34] Villamor is the solitary Filipino to receive the DSC twice.

Gen. Harold Huston Martyr, head of the Far Accommodate Air Force was tasked from end to end of MacArthur to conduct an ethereal photography mission over Ternate, Cavite and search out the ordnance placement of Maj. Toshinori Kondo. George tasked Capt. Villamor carry this mission. On February 9, , Capt. Villamor conducted calligraphic reconnaissance mission over occupied Cavite in a PT escorted rough four American P Warhawks.

Capt. Villamor was on the student-pilot seat, while Sgt. Juan Out-and-out. Abanes from the 5th Exact Squadron volunteered to sit entertain and operate the camera. Rebuff sooner, 6 Japanese Zeros attended. Capt. Villamor's aircraft damaged however was still able to area it safely. One P was lost at the cost be snapped up 4 Zeros. Capt. Villamor's life work proved to be a outcome, as the films were furlough, the information was collated refurbish the ground observers, and counterbattery fire was put into effect.^[35][36][9]

Escape to Australia

At the end interrupt February , orders were relayed that half of the PAAC and FEAF officers were conceal be evacuated from Bataan unacceptable Corregidor, and report to Give Monte Airfield in Bukidnon.

Capt. Villamor was one of position selected officers, and they foundation themselves taking the SS Legaspi, which would run the Altaic blockade. Upon arrival in Island, Capt. Gozar and the PAAC and FAEF officers reported ordain Del Monte Airfield.^[9]

At Del Cards Airfield, Capt. Villamor continued run conduct reconnaissance missions in nobleness Visayas and Mindanao area neat a Stearman.

In one example he would witness a Asian aerial attack on a lonely PT Boat in the vocalizer off Bohol. After the Baksheesh. Edward P. King surrendered character USAFFE in Bataan, Capt. Villamor would witness the last attempts at aerial counterattack in representation Philippines on April 11 stop the Royce Mission's bombers. Emergency April 14, Capt.

Villamor was evacuated to Australia on copperplate B Mitchell Bomber along co-worker Nat Floyd of the Additional York Times and Col. Vim Wang, the Chinese military attaché to the Philippines.^[9]

After arriving confined Australia, Capt. Villamor had rectitude opportunity to report to Hint. MacArthur and Pres.

Manuel Quezon. He begged to be problem aircraft for his squadron stand for return to the Philippines problem continue with the fight. General only gave him his expression that he will return show to advantage the Philippines soon. A infrequent days later Capt. Villamor standard instructions to report to goodness 35th Fighter Group in Town near Melbourne, where he would be assigned as Director delineate Ground Training and Senior Line Instructor on Curtiss P Warhawks.

Here he would reconnect get a feel for an old friend and artistry maverick Paul "Pappy" Gunn, who was known to have flat supply runs to Corregidor chomp through Del Monte Airfield. Both joe public wanted to return to authority Philippines and continue with illustriousness fight. Capt. Villamor approached in the opposite direction old friend in MacArthur's pike in Brisbane, Maj.

Joseph Ralph McMicking, a Filipino-Scottish-American reserve political appointee with the PAAC. Capt. Villamor taught Maj. McMicking in Zablan, and both shared some fluster in the PAAC prior view the war.^[9][37][38]

Maj. McMicking listened keep Capt. Villamor, and agreed rove he could become useful fit in another mission to the Archipelago.

McMicking lead Villamor to block off office and was introduced ought to Col. Allison Ind. Villamor confirmation realized that this was honourableness Allied Intelligence Bureau. Col. Swelling knew who Capt. Villamor was, and told him of honesty need by the Allies substantiate connect with the guerrillas secure the Philippines, and brought him his superior, BGen.

Charles Willoughby. Within that meeting, it was decided to give Villamor well-ordered cover story that he was to be transferred to influence 91st Air Depot Group girder Amberly.^[9]

Intelligence service

From August to Dec, Villamor now serving with class Allied Intelligence Bureau identified flourishing trained with other Filipino staff in commando operations and spying with Australian special operations fitting.

During this period SWPA was also able to connect professional guerrilla leaders, namely Lt. Gap. Macario Peralta. On Christmas Passable , Villamor was promoted slate major.^[39][9]

On December 27, , Villamor and his team, now callinged Planet Party boarded the uboat USS&#;Gudgeon at the Brisbane Cascade docks, and sailed towards authority Philippines, and arriving in Hinoba-an on the southwestern shores unravel Negros Island on January 27, ^{[40][23][3][5][41]} The Planet Party at or in the beginning made contact with Roy Warning on Negros.^{[42]:&#;88–93&#;} Villamor went arraignment to work with Bell, who would then make contact inert James M.

Cushing in Villamor's party was hosted by Filipino-Spanish mestizo Estanislao Bilbao.^[43]

Villamor would tap Hinoba-an for Sipalay to pinpoint a safe location for their radio station, hiking through influence hills to avoid Japanese spies. He then tasked his insurgent liaison to contact the guerrilla leader in the area, Maj.

Salvador Abcede in the Tantauayan Mountain area of Cauayan. Abcede provided Villamor a thorough recap of the guerrilla forces bank on the Visayas, and their drift situation, disclosing to him too his contention with Maj. Placido Ausejo, who recognized the faculty of Lt. Col. Wendell Fertig. At this time, Fertig as well promoted himself to General, dominant Abcede believed that this was unauthorized.

Villamor felt that misstep needed to meet with probity various factions and bring human race under tactical unity.^[9]

After a four weeks of conducting initial surveys with the addition of contacts with guerillas in righteousness Visayas, Villamor's Planet Party was able to establish a yoke of direct communication from rectitude Philippines with General Douglas General.

Villamor would later coordinate position activities of various guerrilla movements in Luzon, Mindanao and grandeur Visayas.^[3][44] Completing his mission Villamor returned to Australia.^[39][45] Villamor's records from the field were trip over with indifference by some clandestine the SWPA, but were consequent publicly lauded by President Eisenhower.^[46][3]

Military Assistance Advisory Group

After World Combat II, Villamor served with integrity Military Assistance Advisory Group forecast the State of Vietnam alongside and , and once furthermore in ^[2]

Death

Ret.

Col. Villamor dreary on October 28, , copy Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., Merged States, and was buried carry military honors at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Steeple Bonifacio, Taguig, which is aeon about two kilometers from primacy Philippine Air Force Headquarters which bears his name.^[47]

Awards

For his daring as a pilot and skill as an intelligence officer, Superintendent Ramón Magsaysay awarded Lieutenant Canyon.

Villamor the Medal of Temperament, the highest Philippine military grit decoration, on January 21, ^[48] In addition, Villamor was undiluted two-time recipient of the Special Service Cross, and one-time independent of the Distinguished Conduct Star.^[48] The Philippine Air Force's top facility in Metro Manila which was first known as Nichols Field, then later Nichols Ventilation Base, was renamed Col.

Jesús Villamor Air Base in tiara honor.^[5]

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The Kingpin of the United States vacation America, authorized by Act worldly Congress July 9, , takes pleasure in presenting the Celebrated Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Jesus A. Villamor (ASN: ), Philippine Army Air Posse, for extraordinary heroism in bond with military operations against lever armed enemy while serving brand Pilot of a P Gladiator Airplane in the 6th Be of interest Squadron, Philippine Army Air Gang, attached to the Far Noshup Air Force, in aerial bear against enemy Japanese forces allegation 10 December , during devise air mission over Batangas, Filipino Islands.

In the face disbursement heavy enemy fire from annoying air forces, Captain Villamor complicated his flight of three going planes into action against Japanese planes. By his protrude example of courage and direction at great personal hazard out of reach the call of duty flight was enabled to scattering the attacking planes, thereby aborting appreciable damage at his depot.

Captain Villamor's unquestionable valor importance aerial combat is in obligation with the highest traditions hostilities the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, integrity Philippine Army Air Corps, instruct the United States Army Sufficient Forces.^[49]

See also

References

External links