Meet Our Founder

Capt. Amado Cantillo was born on August 8, 1938 in Havana, Cuba. A graduate of New York Military Academy 1957, he immediately entered Cuban Army Air Force 1957 to 1959.

As a cadet, he met some of the pilots that flew during Combat missions in the Bay of Pigs Invasion April 17, 1961 where he was one of the frogmen that landed at Blue Beach. During the battle, he witness 3 of our old B26 shot down in aerial combat by faster and more modern communist fighters, first hand. He never forgot that terrible day and his passion on the subject lives on until this day.

35 years later in 1996, he was unanimously elected president of the Cuban Pilot's Association. As president he found an opportunity to procure the funds necessary to build a monument in honor of our fallen pilots.

In 1998 the Cuban Pilot's Association Inc. applied to the USAF Museum for a surplus B26 World War 2 fighter bomber to display at their monument. Months later the USAM approved the application and asked him to have the B26 aircraft picked up in California which he shipped back to Miami, Florida via truck.

After 15 years of hard work and dedication, CUPA found the funds necessary to build the magnificent monument in honor our fallen pilots.

Our founder, Capt. Ret A. Cantillo, whole heartedly thanks the Miami-Aviation Department for their cooperation in finding a beautiful lot where the monument stands today. Another sincere thanks goes out to Brigade 2506 members and friends who've helped in the construction of our monument in honor of our pilots fallen in aerial combat April 17. 1961.