Tex Hill dies at 92 - Aircraft of World War II

evangilder · 10-12-2007, 01:51 AM

It's a sad day in the annals of aviation history.

Quote:

TERRELL HILLS, Texas — 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 died at his home in Terrell Hills near San Antonio, longtime friend Tibaut Bowman said.

"He was still alert and fabulous just up until when he died," said Bowman, who described himself as one of Hill's "hunting buddies, flying buddies and drinking buddies."

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 based his character on 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 a 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.

"Tex Hill was a genuine American hero and a Texan of the highest caliber," Gov. Rick Perry said. "Whether he was flying from the decks of a carrier as a naval aviator, fighting with the legendary Flying Tigers of the American Volunteer Group, winning a Distinguished Service Cross, or commanding the first jet unit in the Army Air Forces, he always led from the front."

Hill, who was born in Korea on July 13, 1915, was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio, in 2006.

He is expected to be buried next week at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Bowman said.

In addition to his daughter Shannon Schaupp, Hill is survived by his wife, Mazie Sale Hill; daughter Lola Skinner; seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

So long, Tex. Blues skies and tail winds.

Bf109_g · 10-12-2007, 02:01 AM

RIP Tex

v2 · 10-12-2007, 02:49 AM

syscom3 · 10-12-2007, 03:41 AM

A great one has passed away.

RIP!

Maestro · 10-12-2007, 03:50 AM

FLYBOYJ · 10-12-2007, 07:41 AM

A true legend...

ccheese · 10-12-2007, 08:40 AM

The man was a hero in my books.....

Charles

ToughOmbre · 10-12-2007, 08:44 AM

A true American hero.

TO

Thorlifter · 10-12-2007, 10:13 AM

Man, I'm sorry to hear that.

I just bought of a replica of his P-40.

(Admin, if the logo in the pic violates anything, please remove the image)

evangilder · 10-12-2007, 10:17 AM

I have a Mahogany model of his airplane, autographed by him. It has been a treasured item for many years.

Bucksnort101 · 10-12-2007, 10:39 AM

I was looking forward to meeting Tex at the Gathering of Mustangs & Legends a couple weeks ago, but he didn't make it due to illness.
Rest in Peace Mr. Hill.

lesofprimus · 10-12-2007, 10:42 AM

RIP Tex...

Wayne Little · 10-12-2007, 11:09 AM

Njaco · 10-12-2007, 03:19 PM

Was he the last of the original Flying Tigers?

mkloby · 10-12-2007, 04:25 PM

10-12-2007, 02:01 AM	#2
Bf109_g Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Zealand Posts: 634	RIP Tex __________________

10-12-2007, 02:49 AM	#3
v2 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cracow Posts: 4,207	__________________ "A good fighter pilot, like a good boxer, should have a knockout punch..... You will find one attack you prefer to all others. Work on it till you can do it to perfection... then use it whenever possible." - Captain Reade Tilley, USAAF 7 Victories, WW-II -

10-12-2007, 03:41 AM	#4
syscom3 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 10,283	A great one has passed away. RIP! __________________ "Pilot to copilot..... what are those mountain goats doing up here in the clouds?"

10-12-2007, 03:50 AM	#5
Maestro Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Beaupré, Province of Québec, Canada Posts: 2,381	__________________ Maestro http://www.yantremblay.com/

10-12-2007, 07:41 AM	#6
FLYBOYJ IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 16,051	A true legend... __________________ "IF ITS RED OR DUSTY, DON'T TOUCH IT"

10-12-2007, 08:40 AM	#7
ccheese Older Than Dirt Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia Posts: 7,309	The man was a hero in my books..... Charles __________________ I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look good either....

10-12-2007, 08:44 AM	#8
ToughOmbre Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 3,233	A true American hero. TO __________________ *“Let's get Enterprise* and Hornet turned into the wind."**

10-12-2007, 10:17 AM	#10
evangilder "Shooter" Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 14,809	I have a Mahogany model of his airplane, autographed by him. It has been a treasured item for many years. __________________ http://www.vg-photo.com For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return. Leonardo Da Vinci

10-12-2007, 10:39 AM	#11
Bucksnort101 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,204	I was looking forward to meeting Tex at the Gathering of Mustangs & Legends a couple weeks ago, but he didn't make it due to illness. Rest in Peace Mr. Hill.

10-12-2007, 10:42 AM	#12
lesofprimus Minister of Whoopass Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Long Island Native in Mississippi Posts: 17,506	RIP Tex... __________________ My IL2 Video Tribute to My Grandfather: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtzN5RuNNJk

10-12-2007, 11:09 AM	#13
Wayne Little Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Adelaide Sth. Aust. Posts: 12,511

10-12-2007, 03:19 PM	#14
Njaco The Pop-Tart Whisperer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Jersey, United States Posts: 10,237	Was he the last of the original Flying Tigers? __________________ "If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it's English, thank a soldier!" http://www.njcacoa.org/

10-12-2007, 04:25 PM	#15
mkloby Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Jacksonville, NC Posts: 3,562	__________________ If the Army and the Navy ever look on heaven's scenes, they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode