Virgal Edward Sansing was born on December 7, 1921. He joined the Army Air Forces in November of 1941. He completed Aircraft Maintenance School, and served as a repairman for over a year, then received approval for flight school.

In late 1943, Sansing served as a fighter pilot with the 359th Fighter Group, 369th Fighter Squadron in England. He flew missions over Europe in P-47s and P-51s. On June 20, 1944, while participating in the invasion of Normandy, Sansing took off from airfield Station 133 in East Wretham, Norfolk, England, on an armed reconnaissance mission. He was shot down by flak during an attack on enemy troop trains stationed in the Château-Thierry station, intended to reinforce the German front in Normandy. With his plane on fire, he flew as far as possible and parachuted over Puiseux-en-Retz.

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. He completed 50 combat missions. He went back to the US and served as a Gunnery Instructor in P-47s, and later completed Aircraft Maintenance Officer School. Sansing served 31 years in the Army, retiring in 1973. He then flew with the non-profit organization now known as the Commemorative Air Force, which is dedicated to preserving and showing historical aircraft.

CAF Col. Sansing died on June 30, 2014, in his hometown in New Braunfels, Texas.

Source of information and photo: digitalarchive.pacificwarmuseum.org, www.luxfhcares.com, francecrashes39-45.net