César Basa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
César Fernando María Basa
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Lt. César Basa
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| Born | 21 June 1915 Isabela, Negros Occidental, Philippine Islands |
| Died | 12 December 1941 (aged 26) Nichols Airfield, Philippine Commonwealth |
| Allegiance |  Philippines United States of America |
| Service/ |
Philippine Army Air Corps |
| Years of service | 1939–1941 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant |
| Unit | Philippine Army Air Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War II • Battle of the Philippines |
| Awards |  Silver Star |
César Fernando María Tianko Basa (born June 21, 1915 – died December 12, 1941) was a brave Filipino military pilot. He fought during World War II. He was one of the first fighter pilots in the Philippine Army Air Corps. This group later became the Philippine Air Force. César Basa was the first Filipino fighter pilot to die in World War II.
Early Life and Education
César Basa was born on June 21, 1915. His parents were Fernando Basa and Rosario Tianko. They lived in Isabela, Negros Occidental. He finished his first years of school there.
Later, his family moved to Manila. César went to Ateneo de Manila University. He studied chemistry and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1939. At school, he was a great athlete. He was a star player on the basketball team. He was also a good swimmer.
After college, he joined the Philippine Army Flying School. It was located at Zablan Airfield in Camp Murphy. He graduated in 1940 and became a 2nd Lieutenant.
A Hero's Final Battle
On the morning of December 12, 1941, a large group of Japanese planes attacked. There were 27 bombers and 17 fighter planes. They raided Batangas Field.
Six Filipino fighter pilots from the 6th Pursuit Squadron took off. They flew Boeing P-26A "Peashooter" planes. Captain Jesús Villamor led them. They faced many more enemy planes in the sky. The fight happened high up, at about 12,000 feet.
Lieutenant Basa had just finished a two-hour air patrol. He had only 15 minutes of fuel left in his plane. But he rushed to join the fight. He wanted to help stop the Japanese bombers. Seven Japanese fighters attacked him. His plane was badly damaged.
He managed to fly back to Nichols Airfield. He ran for safety. But a Japanese fighter plane shot at his aircraft on the ground. He was hit in the head and badly hurt. Lieutenant Victor Osias tried to save him. But César Basa died in his arms. He was the first Filipino fighter pilot to die in the war.
Captain Villamor and his pilots won the battle that day. César Basa was the only one lost. He was given the Silver Star award after his death. This award recognized his bravery.
Honors and Legacy
A military base in the Philippines is named after him. Cesar Basa Air Base is in Floridablanca, Pampanga. It honors his courage and sacrifice.
