Antonio Bautista

Antonio M. Bautista was a Filipino pilot and hero of the Philippine Air Force.

Antonio Bautista is famous for his final flight. As Commander of the 9th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 5th Fighter Wing, he was leading a fighter strike against a thousand armed insurgents who had launched a fanatical attack against government forces in Parang, Jolo. Despite the warning lights on his instrument panel lighting up, Lt. Col Bautista continued his assault, sustaining more and more damage with each pass. Only after two effective bombing runs and five successful strafing passes depleted his ammunition did he break off and try to save himself. Turning his burning plane toward friendly territory in Jolo, he ejected over a contingent of government troops just before his plane exploded in mid-air. Unfortunately, strong winds pushed his parachute back over enemy turf where, outnumbered, he engaged rebel and unwanted troops in a valiant but fatal gunfight.

For his uncommon bravery and tenacity in the face of overwhelming odds, the Armed Forces of the Philippines awarded the late Lieutenant Colonel Antonio M. Bautista the Distinguished Conduct Star on April 29, 1974. In addition the air base at Puerto Princesa was named after him: Antonio Bautista Air Base, Palawan

External links

* [http://www.paf.mil.ph/history/bautista.html Bio of Antonio Bautista on Philippine Air Force website]