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Danilo Atienza

1951 – 1989

Filipino pilot

Airman
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About Danilo Atienza

Lived 1951 – 1989 (aged 38). Danilo Atienza was a Filipino airman.

Danilo S. Atienza (April 24, 1951 – December 1, 1989) was a Filipino pilot in the Philippine Air Force.

Atienza started out as a Philippine Air Force cadet at Basilio Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, where he was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1974. After assignments with the 5th Fighter Wing at Cesar Basa Air Base, Pampanga, Atienza became Squadron Commander of the 6th Tactical Squadron.

On December 1, 1989, Air Force officers joined a coup attempt led by the Reform the Armed Forces Movement. Atienza turned his F-5 fighter against the rebels who established a stronghold at Sangley Field. In bombing and strafing runs, amid heavy rebel ground fire, he and two other combat pilots destroyed one Sikorsky S-76 helicopter, seven T-28's and a fuel depot, depriving the rebel soldiers of air power. This action turned the tide of battle to the government's favor.

However, Atienza was killed that day after his plane went down in unclear circumstances. President Corazon C. Aquino awarded him the Medal of Valor. On May 5, 1992, by an act of Congress, the airfield at Sangley Point Naval and Air Training Station was renamed Danilo Atienza Air Base.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Airman
Nationality
Awards
Armed Forces of the Philippines Medal of Valor
Also known as
Danilo S. Atienza

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Danilo Atienza's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Danilo Atienza?

Filipino pilot

When was Danilo Atienza born?

Danilo Atienza was born on 24 April 1951.

When did Danilo Atienza die?

Danilo Atienza died on 1 December 1989 in Danilo Atienza Air Base.

What was Danilo Atienza's occupation?

Danilo Atienza was an airman.

What nationality was Danilo Atienza?

Danilo Atienza was Filipino.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Danilo Atienza

· Wikidata: Q5219582

· DBpedia: Danilo Atienza

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Danilo Atienza. https://biography.guide/danilo-atienza/

MLA: "Danilo Atienza." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/danilo-atienza/.

Chicago: "Danilo Atienza." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/danilo-atienza/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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