Ramon Magsaysay
Magsaysay Ramón (1907–1957), the third president of the Republic of the Philippines, 1953–57. He graduated in 1932 from the University of the Philippines. During World War II Magsaysay was a leader of guerrilla forces fighting against the Japanese. He was military governor of his native Zambales Province, 1945–46, and a member of the House of Representatives, 1946–50. As secretary of national defense, 1950–53, Magsaysay reorganized the army and crushed the Communist Hukbalahaps, or Huks. In the 1953 election he defeated President Elpidio Quirino. Magsaysay was killed in an air crash while in office.