A much needed update to this one:
https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,389764.msg5178215.html#msg5178215P-51B-10-NA s/n 42-106670
IV*C
Lt. Virgal Edward “Sandy” Sansing
359th Fighter Group, 369th Fighter Squadron
RAF East Wretham, June 1944
Virgal E. “Sandy” Sansing was born in Bay City, Texas on December 7, 1921. When the United States entered World War II he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps and became a Curtiss P-40 "Warhawk" mechanic. He was accepted for flight training in 1942 and eventually joined the P-51 "Mustang" equipped 359th Fighter Group, based at RAF East Wretham.
On June 20, 1944, P-51Bs of the 359th FG attacked the Château-Thierry train station in an effort to dsisrupt German reinforcements advancing towards the landing beaches in France. On his third strafing pass Sansing's aircraft was hit in the fuel tank and caught fire. After a succesful bailout he landed a short distance from a wooded area in Puiseux en Retz. Fearing capture, he fled, later encountering a woman working in a field. She took him to a village after which he was hidden various locations for two weeks, evading capture despite repeated German searches. Accompanied by Léon Coigné, he joined French Résistance fighters, fighting alongside them until Allied troops arrived to recover him.
After his return to the US, he pursued his career as a pilot and fought in Korea and Vietnam, chalking up 350 missions as a Forward Air Controller. His service included serving as the Squadron Commander of the 727th Tactical Control Squadron and Director of Operations of the 602nd Tactical Control Group. He retired from the United States Air Force as a Colonel. His awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with five Oak Leave Clusters, the Purple Heart, the WWII Victory Medal, The European – African – Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal.
After retiring, Sansing went on to sponsor the restoration of numerous aircraft with the Confederate Air Force, flying as an active pilot with the organization until the age of 83.
Half a century later, thanks to members of the French Wing of the CAF, Sandy Sansing and those who had helped him evade capture in 1944 were re-united. He was warmly received in France during this reunion and was decorated with the French Légion d'Honneur for his participation in the liberation of France.
He died on June 30, 2014.
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