The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Frank Santos Collection SDASM.SC.20080
AR
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
2022
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego 92101
Business Number: (619) 234-8291
Fax Number: (619) 233-4525
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Frank C. Santos Photo Collection
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.20080
Physical Description:
106 Photographic Prints
106 Photographic Prints that have been digitized and placed on the DAMS and Flickr. They have been assigned a 09 Series Number
09_03806-03911. They detail Santo's time with VF-33 during World War Two.
Date (bulk): 1941-1945
Abstract: 106 Photographic Prints that have been digitized and placed on the DAMS and Flickr. They have been assigned a 09 Series Number
09_03806-03911. They detail Santo's time with VF-33 during World War Two.
Physical Description: 106 Photographic Prints that have been digitized and placed on the DAMS and Flickr. They have been assigned a 09 Series Number
09_03806-03911. They detail Santo's time with VF-33 during World War Two.
Language of Material:
English
.
Frank Santos was born in Charleston, SC, on July 18, 1920 to Carroll Santos and Theodora M. Graddick and was one of ten children.
He graduated Cum Laude from Notre Dame in June 1941, then from NAS Miami in May 1942 as a naval aviator. He was a Navy Pilot
at NAS San Diego (6/1942-8/1942), Gunnery Officer for the USS Altamaha (VGS-11) (8/1942-11/1942), Parachute Officer with VF-33
on USS Nassau and USS Breton (11/1942-3/1944), and VF Flight Instructor at NAS Melbourne (3/1944-2/1945). He received the
Air Medal for Meritorious Achievement while participating in aerial attacks against the Japanese while piloting a Grumman
Hellcat with VF-33 in the Solomon Islands. On October 15, 1943, while escorting bombers in a vigorous attack on the strongly
defended Ballale Airfield, Lt. Santos engaged with 27 hostile aircraft, shooting down one and sharing in the destruction of
another. He was commended by Admiral Halsey for dealing "the enemy damaging blows, demonstrating marked ability as a flight
leader, tireless attention to duty and courage in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
After his military service, he graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in February 1949 and worked briefly for
the F.B.I, then as an attorney in San Diego from 1950-1956. Santos was a resident of Chula Vista with his wife, Grace Adeline
Turner, and their four children. He died February 4, 1962.
The collection is open for research, some restrictions may apply.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated to the Museum.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Grumman F6F Hellcat
Fighter Squadron 33 (VF-33)
World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Pacific Area
Santos, Frank C