Fausto Vega Santander

NicknamesCacho, Cachito

BornNovember 19, 1923

DiedJune 1, 1945 (aged 21)

Allegiance

Fausto Vega Santander
Nicknames	Cacho, Cachito
Born	(1923-11-19)November 19, 1923 Tuxpan, Veracruz, Mexico
Died	June 1, 1945(1945-06-01) (aged 21) Luzon, Philippines
Allegiance	Mexico
Branch	Mexican Air Force
Service years	1940–1945
Rank	Sub-lieutenant
Unit	Escuadrón 201
Conflicts	World War II South Pacific Theatre Battle of Luzon

Fausto Vega Santander (born November 19, 1923 – June 1, 1945) was a Mexican aviator who died in a crash while fighting during World War II.

Fausto Vega Santander was born in Tuxpan, Veracruz; his parents were Albino Vega and María Santander. He received his primary education at Enrique C. Rebsamen School in his hometown.

Legacy

References

↑ Flores, Santiago A. (2000). "201st Mexican Fighter Squadron". Forgotten Campaign: The Dutch East Indies Campaign 1941–1942. Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
↑ "Subteniente P.A. Fausto Vega Santander". Conoce la Sedena / Antecedentes Históricos / Fuerza Aérea Mexicana (in Spanish). Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2015. Tuvo el triste honor de ser el Primer Militar Mexicano que falleció en el Teatro de Operaciones del Pacífico, el día 1 de junio de 1945, en un accidente aéreo, cuando en una formación de ocho aviones, al mando del Teniente P.A. José Espinosa Fuentes, realizaba una misión de entrenamiento de bombardeo inclinado contra un islote, localizado aproximadamente a una milla y media al sureste de las pequeñas Islas Tabones, situadas frente a la costa occidente de la Isla Luzón, Filipinas. El Servicio de Búsqueda de la Fuerza Aérea Norteamericana, confirmó que el avión P-47 se había hundido en el mar sin que el Piloto apareciera.
↑ Unander, Sig (2008). "Strike of the Aztec Eagles!". Air Art Northwest. Cornelius, Oregon. Archived from the original on 8 May 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015. On June 1, 1945, a dive-bombing training mission was flown in which Lt. Fausto Vega Santander, the youngest pilot in the squadron, was killed on his 18th birthday. A flight of four fighters led by Lt. Carlos Garduno Nunez was making attacks on a target on an island a few miles off the west coast west of Luzon. Lt.Vega was killed when his P-47 inexplicably rolled suddenly to the right and crashed into the sea at high speed, exploding on impact, according to Lt. Moreno, who followed him over the target. His body was never recovered.
↑ Mendieta, Antonio (May 31, 2002). "The Team". Mexican Expeditionary Air Force 201st Fighter Squadron (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 June 2015. Numero De Serie: 42-23228; Tipo: P-47D-15-RA; Codigo del Escuadron201: Desconocido; Prestado por la USAF, descartado el 1ro. de Junio de 1945 a las115 horas cuando choco en el mar al conducir practicas de bombardeo en picada. Tte. Fausto Vega Santander murio en el acto. El lugar del accidente fue reportado a media milla Sur-Oeste de la isla Tabones.

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