César Basa

César Fernándo T. Basa (June 21, 1915 – December 12, 1941) was a Filipino aircraft pilot and World War II hero. Born in 1915, he was one of the pioneer fighter pilots of the Philippine Army Air Corps, the forerunner of the Philippine Air Force, and was the first Filipino fighter pilot casualty during World War II.

For the airbase, see Basa Air Base.
César Fernándo T. Basa
Lt. César Basa
BornJune 21, 1915
Isabela, Negros Occidental, Philippine Islands
DiedDecember 12, 1941
Nichols Airfield, Commonwealth of the Philippines[1]
Allegiance Philippines
 United States of America
Service/branchPhilippine Army Air Corps
Years of service1939–1941
Rank Lieutenant
UnitPhilippine Army Air Corps
Battles/warsWorld War II
• Battle of the Philippines
Awards  Silver Star

Early Years

Cesar Basa was born on June 21, 1915 to Fernando Basa and Rosario Tianko of Isabela, Negros Occidental. He finished his primary education in his home town, until their family moved to Manila where his parents enrolled him at the Ateneo de Manila University. He took up Bachelor of Science Major in Chemistry, and graduating in the class of 1939. In school he was known as a star player of their basketball team,[1] and was a swimmer.[2] Upon graduating from the ADMU, he joined the Philippine Army Flying School in Zablan Airfield in Camp Murphy, and received his commission as 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation in 1940.

Death

Basa's fight took place at Batangas Field on the morning of December 12, 1941 when 27 Japanese bombers and 17 fighter escorts raided the base.[3]

Six Filipino fighter pilots of the 6th Pursuit Squadron on Boeing P-26A "Peashooter" fighter planes, led by Captain Jesús Villamor, engaged the numerically superior enemy in aerial combat at 12,000 feet (3,700 m). Several dogfights ensued as Villamor and his men fought desperately to prevent the pack of bombers and their fighter escorts from reaching and bombing Lipa Airfield.[4]

Lieutenant Basa, still airborne after a two hour air-reconnaissance mission, rushed to the scene and attempted to join the aerial engagement with only 15 minutes' worth of fuel left in his P-26. Enroute, he was intercepted by seven Japanese fighters and shot down. Although he was able to bring his aircraft back to Nichols Airfield and run for cover, he received a fatal head injury after one of the Japanese fighters swooped down to strafe his aircraft. Lt. Victor Osias still attempted to rescue him, but Basa expired in his arms.[1] This made him the first Filipino fighter-pilot casualty of war.

Captain Villamor and his pilots won the battle, with the only casualty being Basa. In recognition of his heroism, Lieutenant Basa was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.

Honors

Cesar Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga, Philippines is named in his honor.

References
  1. Alcaraz, Ramon (15 December 1941). "Diary of Ramon Alcaraz - December 15, 1941". The Philippine Diary Project. The Philippine Diary Project. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  2. Buencamino, Felipe III (30 December 1941). "Diary of Felipe Buencamino III - December 30, 1941". The Philippine Diary Project. The Philippine Diary Project. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  3. "Philippine Air Force History". Archived from the original on 2014-04-29.
  4. "Fighting Filipino pilot". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
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