Villamor was one of seven children. He studied commerce at De La Salle College (now DLSU-Manila) in Manila, hoping to pursue a business career. He joined the Philippine Army Air Corps (PAAC) Flying School in 1936 and was sent to the United States for training, and after three years, began flying B-17’s as part of the US Air Force’s Strategic Bombing Squadron. Upon his return to the Philippines, Villamor was assigned to lead the 6th Pursuit Squadron (now 6th Tactical Fighter Squadron) shortly before the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in December 1941. He was credited with destroying one enemy airplane in aerial combat early in the war. When his overwhelmed unit was finally destroyed, Villamor continued his war against the Japanese as an intelligence officer. On December 27, 1942 Villamor slipped past the Japanese Navy aboard the submarine “Gudgeon.” Establishing a chain of direct communication from the Philippines with General Douglas MacArthur in Australia, he coordinated the activities of various guerilla movements in Luzon, Mindanao and the Visayas.
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Cemetery:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
6th Pursuit SquadronDivision:
Philippine Army Air CorpsAction Date:
December 10, 1941
Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 48 (1941)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Jesus A. Villamor (ASN: 0-888072), Philippine Army Air Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-26 Fighter Airplane in the 6th Pursuit Squadron, Philippine Army Air Corps, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces on 10 December 1941, during an air mission over Air Batangas, Philippine Islands. In the face of heavy enemy fire from strong air forces, Captain Villamor led his flight of three pursuit planes into action against attacking Japanese planes. By his conspicuous example of courage and leadership at great personal hazard beyond the call of duty his flight was enabled to rout the attacking planes, thereby preventing appreciable damage at his station. Captain Villamor’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Philippine Army Air Corps, and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
6th Pursuit SquadronDivision:
Philippine Army Air CorpsAction Date:
December 12, 1941
Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 48 (1941)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Jesus A. Villamor (ASN: 0-888072), Philippine Army Air Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-26 Fighter Airplane in the 6th Pursuit Squadron, Philippine Army Air Corps, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 12 December 1941. On that date, Captain Villamor led six pursuit planes against 54 Japanese bombers. By his heroic action against an enemy with enormous odds, pat of the attacking planes were driven off, one of the enemy planes being destroyed by fire from Captain Villamor’s plane. Captain Villamor’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Philippine Army Air Corps, and the United States Army Air Forces.