five fighter squadrons in the Philippine Air Force 5th Fighter Wing; the 105th, 6th TFS, 7th TFS, 8th FS, and 9th TFS. On 11 January 1974, he took off from Edwin Andrews Air Force Base leading an element of two F-86 Sabres to support government troops that were under attack by a large number of armed rebels in Parang on Jolo Island, 200 miles away. During the engagement he made several low attack runs, exposing himself and his aircraft to heavy rifle fire. When he finally broke off after two bombing runs and five strafing passes, his fighter was severely damaged; his wingman, Lt. Roger Crudo, informed him that the aircraft was on fire. He tried to divert to the nearby Jolo airstrip, but when his nose landing gear failed to fully deploy, he ejected at a low altitude of 1000 feet; the airplane exploded seconds afterward. Despite having bailed out over government-controlled territory, his parachute drifted back over enemy lines. Rescue helicopters led by Col. Luis Diano landed a kilometer away from him due to severe hostile fire. Despite the rescue attempts and efforts by Bautista to defend his position using his service pistol, he was overwhelmed by more rebels and killed before rescue forces could reach him. Philippine Air Force TSgt Nonito Calizo and Airman Benjamin Lojo were the first rescuers to arrive at the scene and secure Bautista's body and were decorated for retrieving Bautista's body. For his "uncommon bravery and tenacity in the face of overwhelming odds," the Armed Forces of the Philippines, under General Order 519, posthumously awarded Bautista the Distinguished Conduct Star on April 29, 1974. His widow, Alice Jane Rigor received the awards on behalf of her husband from then Philippine President, Ferdinand Marcos. For his gallantry, the Philippine Air Force base at Puerto Princesa, Palawan (island) was named Antonio Bautista Air Base in his honor when it opened on 21 March 1975. It is now home to the Air Force's 570th Composite Tactical Wing. Gallery References "Soldier Heroes, A handbook on the winners of the Major Medals Awarded By the Philippine Constabulary and the Armed Forces since 1902-1980", (circa 1981), National Media Production Center, Manila, Pages 110, 143 External links Bio of Antonio Bautista on Philippine Air Force website On The Wings of Angels: The Last Flight of Lt Col Antonio M Bautista Global Security.org Antonio Bautista Airbase 1937 births 1974 deaths