Italy
Capitano Vincenzo Sant’Andrea
Italy
Capitano Vincenzo Sant’Andrea
| Date | Decoration | Note |
| ??/??/40 | Medaglia d’argento al valor militare (1st) | O.M.S. |
| ??/??/45 | Medaglia d’argento al valor militare (2nd) | 1940-43 |
| ??/??/45 | Medaglia d’argento al valor militare (3rd) | 1940-43 |
| ??/??/45 | Medaglia di bronzo al valor militare | 1940-43 |
| ??/??/?? | Croce al merito di guerra | 1940-43 |
| ??/??/?? | Medaglia commemorativa della campagna di Spagna (1936-1939) | O.M.S. |
| ??/??/?? | Medaglia di benemerenza per i volontari della guerra Spagna | O.M.S. |
Vincenzo Sant’Andrea was born on 11 June 1908 and was from Bagnara di Romagna (Ravenna).
On 18 September 1936, he was commissioned (in Servizio Permanente Effettivo).
Sant’Andrea served as a volunteer in the Spanish Civil War, where he served in the XXIII Gruppo.
During his time in Spain, he claimed one victory with the Fiat CR.32.
In the beginning of February 1942, Capitano Sant’Andrea served as CO of the 160a Squadriglia, 12o Gruppo CT in North Africa. This unit was equipped with Fiat G.50s.
He was promoted to Capitano on 6 February 1941.
During the campaign over Malta, prominent Sicily-based Regia Aeronautica fighter leaders used radio code names. Capitano Sant’Andrea used the code name ‘Marte’ (Mars).
As of 8 November 1942 (on the launch of Operation Torch in North Africa), Capitano Sant’Andrea served as CO of the 359a Squadriglia, 22o Gruppo CT. The unit was based at Monserrato, Sardinia, and equipped with Re.2001s.
In 1943, he served in the 22o Gruppo Autonomo.
Sant’Andrea ended the war with 1 biplane victory and a total of 5.
Claims:
| Kill no. | Date | Time | Number | Type | Result | Plane type | Serial no. | Locality | Unit |
| 193? | |||||||||
| 1 | ??/??/3? | 1 | Enemy aircraft | Destroyed | Fiat CR.32 | Spain | 24a Squadriglia | ||
| 194? | |||||||||
| 2 | ??/??/4? | 1 | Enemy aircraft | Destroyed | |||||
| 3 | ??/??/4? | 1 | Enemy aircraft | Destroyed | |||||
| 4 | ??/??/4? | 1 | Enemy aircraft | Destroyed | |||||
| 5 | ??/??/4? | 1 | Enemy aircraft | Destroyed |
Sources:
A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940-1945: Volume Two – Christopher Shores and Giovanni Massimello with Russell Guest, Frank Olynyk & Winfried Bock, 2012 Grub Street, London, ISBN-13: 9781909166127
A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940-1945: Volume Three – Christopher Shores and Giovanni Massimello with Russell Guest, Frank Olynyk & Winfried Bock, 2016 Grub Street, London, ISBN-13: 9781910690000
Annuario Ufficiale Delle Forze Armate Del Regno D’Italia Anno 1943. Part III Regia Aeronautica – 1943 Istituto Poligrafico Dello Stato, Roma
Assi Italiani Della Caccia 1936-1945 - Giovanni Massimello, 1999 Aerofan no. 69 apr.-giu. 1999, Giorgio Apostolo Editore, Milan
Elenco Nominativo dei Militari dell' A. M. Decorati al V. M. Durante it Periodo 1929 - 1945 2 Volume M - Z
Malta: The Spitfire year 1942 - Christopher Shores, Brian Cull and Nicola Malizia, 1991 Grub Street, London
