Posted on 10/11/2007 9:08:41 PM PDT by Racehorse
David Lee "Tex" Hill, a World War II fighter pilot who was the youngest brigadier general in the history of the Texas Air National Guard, died Thursday. He was 92.
. . .
Hill graduated as a naval aviator in 1939, and in 1941, he joined the Flying Tigers, an American volunteer group based in China during World War II. He shot down 18 1/4 enemy aircraft during the war, Bowman said. The "quarter" came when four planes were involved in shooting down an enemy plane and each pilot was credited with one-fourth of the downing.
Hill emerged from the war a national hero. John Wayne portrayed him in the 1942 film, "The Flying Tigers," and Hill earned numerous medals, among them the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, the British Flying Cross and six Chinese combat decorations.
"He's appreciated by so many for the things that he did, and he's appreciated by me for being such a wonderful father," his daughter Shannon Schaupp said. "If I could put one label, I would say integrity."
Hill was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 2002, 59 years after a dogfight in enemy-occupied territory in China. A three-member Air Force panel said Hill had been denied the medal because of a personality conflict between two Army generals and his boss, Brig. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault, who recommended Hill for the award.
"I can say this probably on behalf of fifty people, except for my own dad who is my personal hero, 'Tex' Hill was the biggest hero I ever had," Bowman said. "Unquestioning integrity and loyalty, purpose, determination, compassion."
A longtime San Antonian, Hill logged 3,500 hours, flew 150 combat sorties and later tested the first U.S. jets before joining the Air National Guard.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Damn.
Hero ping.
Where do we get such men.....
http://www.flyingtigersavg.com/tiger7.htm
I have Tex’s signature on “The Legend Begins” poster just above my monitor. May he rest in peace.
The Right Stuff all right!
As is my 86 y/o father who piloted a C47 in the European theater.
Rest in peace, General. Prayers for his family.
Rest In Peace, General Hill, and thank you for your service to our country.
May Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him....
Salute to another great man of America’s Greatest Generation
What a great guy. Rest in peace David.
You will be missed...
I once had a chance to buy a picture of the flying tigers taken by Tex Hill with a kodak Brownie. The guy selling it was a man of integrity so I am sure it was authentic. Just coudln’t afford it.
I got to meet and even talk to General Robert L. Scott of “God is My Co-Pilot” fame. I think he was credited with either 26 or maybe 28 victories. Scott didn’t officially fly with the AVG although he in actual fact did. He then led the fighter wing of the U.S. Air Force unit which replaced the AVG, still under Chennault.
The old character had that certain type of indefinable charisma which only Southern Gentlemen seem to have. In addition he was just plain likeable. He was around 90 and when the meeting was over, he got in the drivers seat of his Cadillac and drove the hundred miles or more back to Warner Robbins with his Daughter.
Wow. That’s an interesting story. These guys were my heroes. Some people call me a dinosaur because I watch these old movies. I’m not that old but these are movies that mean something to me. A long time ago I bought a book from an old book store in upstate N.Y. It was about the AVG. It was one of the few books that I actually read from beginning to end without losing interest.
Scott spoke really highly of Tex Hill, Ed Rector and several others I can’t recall. He also like Chennault. One man he didn’t like was General Stilwell.
Scott also mentioned how he had been told not to destroy certain bridges which needed to be destroyed because the communists wanted them left alone. Scott said the Commies were clearly calling a lot of the shots in the American State Department. He also didn’t care for General Biddell or was it Bissell?
Yep that is true of many who could see the communist threat. As the Generalissimo said, “The Japanese are a disease of the skin. The communists are a disease of the heart.”
Rest In Peace
I always feel a sense of sadness and loss every time I read of the passing of another of these brave men.
Ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
What a great and happy story.
Think of the amazing tales of flying history this man could tell...... I have a habit lately of having morning coffee with a bunch of “older” veterans who’s combat and military life experiences / stories need to be shared, saved and preserved for generations to come. They, as Tex Hill was, are our HISTORY !
Tex Hill was of a generation that can never be equaled again . The lack of modern systems, support, assurances of rescue etc of today’s air forces makes such as this airman’s exploits all the more golden.
RIP Tex Hill !
i MET THE general several times in SA but I knew his son David better. The old man was still sharp late in his life although I hadn’t seen him for several years.
He was a legend around SA where we have lots of retired generals. We don’t even keep track of colonels.
Memorial service for David Lee 'Tex' Hill
Web Posted: 10/13/2007 11:16 PM CDT
A memorial service for retired Air National Guard Brig. Gen. David Lee 'Tex' Hill of Flying Tigers fame will be Tuesday.
The service begins at 1 p.m. at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church at 825 E. Basse Road.
Interment will be in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Hill, 92, died of congestive heart failure Thursday afternoon at his Terrell Hills home.
A Navy pilot, he was recruited in early 1941 to join Claire Chennault's First American Volunteer Group to defend China from Japanese attack.
In two combat tours of China, Hill became the Flying Tigers' second-leading ace.
His medals include the Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
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GOD Bless our remaining World War II Veterans who put a broad smile on GOD’s Face...
...as they brought more Freedom and thus more LOVE to the World at unGODly prices.
GOD Bless’m, every one:
FREEDOM Committee of Orange County
.
UPDATE:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA102807.texhill.KENS.1b832806d.html
Fredericksburg museum to honor ‘Tex’ Hill
Web Posted: 10/29/2007 12:52 AM CDT
KENS 5 Eyewitness News
Later this week, a South Texas World War II hero will be honored.
General David Lee “Tex” Hill died a few weeks ago at the age of 92 years.
On Friday, the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg will honor the fighting ace with “Tex” Hill Day, which will feature speeches, music and friends’ memories of Tex.
I’m guessing that the 2 army generals who didn’t like Chennault and kept Tex from getting his medal were Stilwell and Bissell. The AVG/23rd Fighter Group guys actually trained a Chinese guy who did not actually understand English to greet passengers getting off of planes at their base with the greeting “piss on you Bissell”. Those who were not Bissell smiled or laughed, knowing what was going on, but it had the desired effect when Bissell actually came one day.
That is a funny story and from what I have read of the AVG it sounds like it is probably true too.
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