Benito Ebuen

BRIG GEN BENITO N EBUEN AFP was born in Iba, Zambales on 10 January 1912. He graduated in Manila North High school (now Arellano High School) in 1930 and subsequently took up Civil Engineering at the University of the Philippines, transferred to National University and later shifted to and finished his Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering at Far Eastern University during his off-duty hours and graduated in 1940.

His military career began after graduating from the Philippine Military Academy in 1937 and finishing his military pilot training at the Philippine Army Air Corps Flying School in 1938. He became flight instructor at Zablan Field and later became Commander of 7th School Squadron, PAAC at Maniquis Field.

During the WW II, he served as Commanding Officer of the 2nd PAAC Provisional Infantry Battalion before he and other PAAC officers were evacuated to Mindanao and fought under the 81st Field Artillery Regiment and Bolo Combat Battalion. He was incarcerated as prisoner of war from 1941 to 1943 at Malaybalay, Bukidnon. After the Philippine Liberation Campaign, he was sent for schooling abroad in various USAF Bases to refresh and enhance his flying skills.

General Ebuen held important positions such as Base Commander of Basa Field on 02 June 1948; Commanding Officer, Philippine Air Force on 02 June 1952; and Commanding General, of the Philippine Air Force from 12 Dec 1956 till his untimely death with then President Ramon Magsaysay in a plane crash at Mt Manunggal in Cebu on 17 March 1957.

He is a recipient of U.S. Silver Star, Philippine Defense Medal w/ 1st Bronze Star, Philippine Liberation Medal, Philippine Independence Ribbon, WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific War Theater Campaign Medal, UN Service Medal and Korean Campaign Medal, among others.

He is married to the former Miss Betis C Diwa of Baliwag, Bulacan with whom he has 8 children namely Adolfo, Ruben, Victor, Chester (PAFFS ’66), Jose, Neon (PMA ’71), Ladislao (PMA ’72), and Caesar.

On 18 January 1999, Mactan Air Base stationed in the Visayas was renamed Benito Ebuen Air Base by virtue of GO #76 GHQ AFP dated 25 January 1999, as a tribute to Brig Gen Benito N Ebuen AFP, being the brain behind the study, planning and development of Mactan Air Base as alternate International Airport and Air Base.