Sansing Virgal, 1986 December 10

File — Box: 3, Folder: 12

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Colonel Sansing talks about his experience flying World War II-era aircraft, the purpose and aircraft holdings of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), how he maintains his skill with involvement in the CAF, and his opinions on the capabilities of the present-day U.S. Air Force.
Interviewed by Mitchel C. Bell

Dates

1986 December 10

Creator

From the Collection: Southwest Texas State University. Department of History (Organization)
From the Collection: Brown, Ronald C., 1945- (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restriction.

Biographical note

Colonel Virgal E. Sansing (1921–2014) grew up in Bay City, Texas. Sansing joined the U.S. Air Force (then Army Air Corps) in 1941 and retired in 1973. He was a member of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) and a unit member of the Central Texas Wing. A decorated World War II veteran, Sansing was shot down in 1944 while flying a P-51 Mustang. After parachuting out of the aircraft, Sansing went into hiding in the French countryside, helped by members of the French Resistance until he returned safely to his base in England. In 2005, Sansing was elevated to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honor in a ceremony in France. Sansing was inducted into the CAF American Combat Airman Hall of Fame in 2006.