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Biography
José Abelardo Quiñones Gonzáles (April 22, 1914 – July 23, 1941) was a Peruvian military aviator and posthumously became a national hero in the Battle of Zarumilla, during the Ecuadorian–Peruvian war, also known as the War of '41 (Spanish: Guerra del 41).
Combat History
Lieutenant Quiñones was a fighter pilot of the 41st Escuadrilla (Squadron), Peruvian Air Force, and was part of a section carrying out a low-level strafing and bombing attack against Ecuadorian forces at Quebrada Seca on July 23, 1941. During the raid, Quiñones' aircraft, a North American NA-50 "TORITO" (North American P-64), was mortally hit by ground fire from a battery of Ecuadorian anti-aircraft artillery. Instead of parachuting to safety, Quiñones chose to make the supreme sacrifice by crashing his damaged aircraft onto the Ecuadorian position, rendering the battery out of action.
Posthumous
Following his death, Quiñones was promoted to the rank of Air Force Captain and he was declared a national hero by law on May 10, 1966. Named in his honour is the Cap. FAP José A. Quiñones Gonzales International Airport near his town of birth in Chiclayo. When the new currency of Peru (nuevo sol) was introduced in 1991 he appeared on the 10 S/. Banknote.