Jacinto Bondanza Castro (October 11, 1900 – October 8, 1987) was a pioneering Salvadoran aviator.
Biography
Jacinto Bondanza Castro was born on 11 October 1900 in the city of Santa Tecla, La Libertad"El Salvador Registro Civil, 1704-2001", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HNJ-86C : Tue Mar 11 14:13:24 UTC 2025), Entry for Jacinto Bondanza and Abelino Bondanza. to a Southern Italian immigrant father from Naples.
Jacinto had become interested in Aviation during a stay in San Francisco, California and on April 22, 1924 he and his friend Juan Ramón Munés entered Aviation school. On November 29, 1924, Jacinto graduated from the Ilopango Military Aviation School and on December 10, 1924 officially became the second aviator pilot in all of El Salvador and was also awarded the title of Second Lieutenant in the Army. By 1925, he was one of only six qualified pilots in El Salvador.
Jacinto went on to play a crucial role in the early development of the nation's Air Force and was frequently sent to California to obtain aircraft and support."California, Los Angeles, Passenger Lists, 1907-1948", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:C11B-QCN2 : Wed Apr 02 23:04:27 UTC 2025), Entry for Jacinto Bondanza, 1929."California, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1947", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGF9-7B7P : Fri Apr 04 01:23:36 UTC 2025), Entry for Jacinto Bondanza and Michael Burke, 24 Jul 1944.
On New Year Day 1928, American Aviator Charles Lindbergh arrived in El Salvador on the Spirit of St. Louis during his goodwill tour of Latin America. Jacinto was honored with Munés to escort Lindbergh across the country.
He married Rosa Victoria Valle in 1940"El Salvador Registro Civil, 1704-2001", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X97P-BD35 : Tue Jun 24 11:10:11 UTC 2025), Entry for Jacinto Bondanza and Abelino Bondanza, 1 de abril de 1940. and had at least one son Carlos Jacinto Bondanza. He died on 8 October 1987.
See also Italian Salvadorans Salvadoran Air Force (FAS)
References