Alfredo Salazar Southwell

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Alfredo Salazar Southwell (1913-September 14, 1937) was a Peruvian aviator, celebrated as a national hero.

[edit] Biography

Southwell was born in 1913 (exact date uncertain) to an established family in Lima. In 1920, he entered the Anglo-Peruvian School. Graduating with high marks, he entered the School of Engineers in 1931.

The next year, he presented himself to the Peruvian Air Force to study as a cadet. He finished his military studies in 1935, assuming the rank of Sub-Ensign, and was assigned the post of flight instructor for cadets. In 1936, he was promoted to the rank of Flight Officer.

[edit] Death

On the morning of September 14, 1937, during a rehearsal for an airshow celebrating the inauguration of a monument to Jorge Chávez, the airplane he was piloting started emitting smoke.

On seeing this, Southwell ordered his copilot, a mechanical technician surnamed Fajardo, to parachute to safety. Fajardo initially protested, but followed orders.

Southwell then purposely piloted away from urban areas. The plane crashed in a field in the seaside district of Miraflores, killing Southwell. The field was dedicated as a park in his memory, and a monument honoring him was erected there in 1953.