Alois Vašátko was born on 25 August 1908 in Čelákovice, Austria-Hungary (now the Czech Republic), into a family of five children. His father, also named Alois, was a cabinet-maker who returned from the First World War as an invalid.
The family later moved to Týniště nad Orlicí, where Alois completed his secondary education. He then attended a teacher training college in Hradec Králové and subsequently worked as a schoolteacher in Litoměřice.
Vašátko began his military career in the Czechoslovak Army, serving with the 22nd Infantry Regiment before transferring to the Air Force. Following the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1939, he escaped to France, where he joined the French Foreign Legion before being integrated into the Armée de l'Air.
During the Battle of France in May and June 1940, Vašátko flew with Groupe de Chasse I/5, piloting Curtiss H-75A fighters. He achieved significant success, being credited with at least 12 confirmed aerial victories, making him the most successful Czechoslovak pilot in that campaign. For his valour, France awarded him the Croix de Guerre with seven palms, two gold stars, and one silver star, and appointed him a Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur.
After France's surrender, Vašátko made his way to the United Kingdom, where he was commissioned into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He was posted to the newly formed No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF, initially stationed at RAF Speke near Liverpool.
On 8 October 1940, Vašátko, along with Flight Lieutenant Denys Gillam and Sergeant Josef Stehlík, achieved the squadron's first aerial victory by downing a Junkers Ju 88 over the River Mersey. Vašátko quickly rose through the ranks, being promoted to Flight Lieutenant on 28 October 1940 and taking command of "B" Flight of 312 Squadron on 7 November 1940.
On 5 June 1941, he was appointed Squadron Leader and became the commanding officer of the entire squadron. Under his leadership, the squadron transitioned from Hurricanes to Spitfires.
In May 1942, the RAF formed a Czechoslovak fighter wing comprising Nos. 310, 312, and 313 Squadrons. Vašátko was promoted to Wing Commander on 30 May 1942 and appointed as the wing's first leader.
Throughout his service with the RAF, he was credited with shooting down 14 enemy aircraft between October 1940 and his death in June 1942.
On 23 June 1942, while leading a mission over the English Channel, Vašátko's Spitfire collided with a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 during combat. He was killed in action, and his body was never recovered.
Consequently, he is commemorated on the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede, which honours air force personnel with no known grave.
Posthumously, Vašátko received several honours, including the Czechoslovak War Cross 1939–1945 (three times), the Distinguished Flying Cross from the United Kingdom, and the Military Order of the White Lion 1st Class. In his hometown of Čelákovice, a memorial plaque was unveiled in his honour, and streets in various Czech towns have been named after him.
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