Mary Grace Baloyo
| Mary Grace P. Baloyo | |
|---|---|
 Air Force Captain Mary Grace Baloyo in the uniform of an Aviation Cadet | |
| Nickname(s) | "Amazing Grace" |
| Born |
1973 Bacolod City, Negros Occidental |
| Died |
26 March 2001 Bgy Mabiga, Mabalacat, Pampanga |
| Burial Site | Bacolod City |
| Allegiance |
 Philippines |
| Service/branch |
 Philippine Air Force |
| Years of service | 1995 - 2001 |
| Rank |
 Captain |
| Unit |
 15th Strike Wing |
| Awards |
 Philippine Medal of Valor |
Mary Grace Baloyo was a First lieutenant in the Philippine Air Force who posthumously received the Philippines' highest military award for courage - the Philippine Medal of Valor.[1] The circumstances in which she was awarded the medal is unique in that it was not given for actions against enemy forces but rather for self-sacrifice. On 26 March 2001, the plane she was flying, a North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco, experienced engine trouble and rapidly descended into a heavily-populated area. Instead of ejecting, she chose to stay on board and diverted the plane before it crashed, thereupon killing herself. To date, Baloyo is one of only four recipients of the medal from the Philippine Air Force and the only female recipient of the medal. She was posthumously promoted to the rank of Captain.[2]
External links
References
- ↑ Gomez, Carla (4 April 2001). "Gloria Confers Medal of Valor on Heroine Pilot". Philippine Daily Inquirer. pp. A4. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
- ↑ Gomez, Carla (9 April 2001). "She Showed All of Us How a Soldier Should Die". Philippine Daily Inquirer. pp. A6. Retrieved 1 September 2015.