Virgal Edward Sansing
December 7, 1921 ~ June 30, 2014
CAF Col Virgil "Sandy" Sansing passed away Mon., June 30, 2014 in his hometown of New Braunfels, Texas. Sansing was a longtime member of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) and a unit member of the Central Texas Wing. He flew several different aircraft for the CAF including the T-6, P-39, Kate and Zero with Tora! Tora! Tora!. Sansing is a decorated World War II Veteran. On June 20, 1944 at the age of 22, he was shot down while flying a P-51 Mustang and strafing an enemy train. He parachuted out of the aircraft and arrived safely on the ground. Sandy Sansing immediately went into hiding in the French countryside. For the next few months he was assisted by French families and members of the French Resistance, which helped him reach his base in England. For 61 years Sansing had a deep appreciation for the members of the French Resistance for saving him and helping him get back home.
In April 2005, the CAF French Wing contacted the Mayor of Puiseux, Patrick Tricoche, to report that the Texan pilot which landed in his town during World War II is alive and wants to come to the scene of his parachute landing. City Council Puiseux was thrilled at the idea and decided to invite him to the village feast. For his heroism he was elevated to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honor. The decoration was presented to him at the Museum of Air and Space at Le Bourget (Seine-Saint-Denis) by General Air, Patrick Marbach. In 2006 Sansing was inducted into the CAF American Combat Airman Hall of Fame.
Go here to see his ACAHOF plaque. ( http://www.airpowermuseum.org/exhibits/acahof/assets/pdf/2006/Virgal_E_Sandy.pdf )
A Memorial Service was held at the Central Texas Wing hangar on Sat., July 26 at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be sent to:
CAF Centex Wing, 1841 Airport Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666.
Checks should be made out to the Central Texas Wing with "Sandy Sansing" written on the memo line.
Questions should be addressed to the Central Texas Wing at 512-396-1943.
A friend and mentor I will always cherish the lunches the words of wisdom, the humor and sea stories. A man for all times god speed on your journey West. You will be missed.
He had a very good friend. He was my squadron commander in the 727TCS and the Director of Operations of the 602Tac Control Group while I was stationed in Austin Tx. After we retired we visited each other. What a loss.
Col. Sansing and I were hunting partners almost every weekend of bird or deer hunting season, during the three years that I served at Bergstrom AFB. He had been my squadron commander at the 727th Tac Control Squadron and also the 602nd Tac Control Group Operations Officer Officer. He was more like family than just a friend. He and Connie and my wife Sharon shared many fun times together. We miss he and Connie very much. I have just found out of his passing. Milt Jones, Major USAF,(Ret).