Famous Flying Tiger ace dies

SAN ANTONIO (AFRNS) -- Famous Flying Tigers ace and Texas Air National
Guardsman Brig. Gen. David Lee "Tex'' Hill died Oct. 11 of congestive heart
failure at his home here. He was 92. The general is scheduled for burial
at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.



General Hill flew with Gen. Claire Chennault as a member of the Flying
Tigers, a volunteer group of American aviators who flew during World War II
to defend China, which had no air force of its own.



He served as both flight leader and then squadron leader of the 2nd
Squadron, flying the Curtis P-40 fighter with the distinctive shark's teeth
paint scheme on the nose of the plane. During his time as a Flying Tiger
pilot, he was credited with 12 aerial victories.



When the Flying Tigers were disbanded in July, 1942, General Hill continued
to fly, eventually commanding the 23rd Fighter Group. By the time he left
active duty, he was a triple-ace, credited with some 18 confirmed aerial
victories.



In 1946, he joined the Texas Air National Guard as the youngest brigadier
general in the history of the Air Guard. He was 31.



"Tex Hill has forgotten more about leadership and what's important than most
of us will ever know," said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of
staff. (Courtesy of Air Force Print News)