Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay was a Filipino statesman who served as the seventh President of the Philippines, from December 30, 1953, until his death in an aircraft disaster on March 17, 1957. An automobile mechanic by profession, Magsaysay was appointed military governor of Zambales after his outstanding service as a guerrilla leader during the Pacific War. He then served two terms as Liberal Party congressman for Zambales's at-large district before being appointed Secretary of National Defense by President Elpidio Quirino. He was elected president under the banner of the Nacionalista Party. He was the youngest to be elected as president, and second youngest to be president. He was the first Philippine president born in the 20th century and the first to be born after the Spanish colonial era.

The Quezon Service Cross is the highest national recognition of the Republic of the Philippines. It has been awarded to only a handful of Filipinos since its creation in 1946.