Hill, David Lee "Tex"

Date of birth:: July 13th, 1915 (Kwangju, Korea)
Date of death:: October 11th, 2007 (Terrell Hills/Texas, United States)
Buried on:: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
Nationality:: American

Biography

Servicenumber 0-889015.

David Lee Hill was born on July 13th, 1915 as the son of Presbyterian missionaries in Kwangju, Korea. The most time of his childhood he would spend in Texas. After attending the Texas Military Institute and the Austin College, he graduated 1938. He earned his Navy Pilot Wings in 1939.

During the early stages of the Second World War, Hill was a member of the Flying Tiges of Lieutenant General Claire Chennault, flying the Curtiss P-40 as flight leader and squadron leader with the 2nd Squadron. After 1942 he joined the Army Air Force and was commissioned to activate the 75th Fighter Squadron. By 1945 he was credited with a total of 18 confirmed victories.

After the Second World War he joined the Texas Air National Guard and gained the rank of Brigadier General. In 1952 he joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves at Brooks AFB and became Commanding Officer of 8707th Pilot Training Wing in 1954. He was active as Reserve until 1958 and was finally retired in 1968.

He also received other decorations (DFC, AM, LoM), however it is not known to us which he received during or for actions during World War Two.

David Lee Hill passed away on October 11th, 2007.

Promotions:
1942: Major;
?: Colonel;
?: Brigadier General.

Career:
1939: Torpedo Bomber Squadron, U.S.S. Saratoge (CV-3);
?: Dive bomber Suqadron, U.S.S. Ranger (CV-4);
1941: 1st American Volunteer Group, China;
?: Flight Leader 2nd Pursuit Squadron (Panda Bear);
March 1942: Squadron Leader 2nd Pursuit Squadron (Panda Bear);
July 1942: Squadron Leader 75th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Fighter Group;
?: Commanding Officer 23rd Fighter Group;
1944: Commanding Officer 412th Fighter Group;
1945: Deactivation;
July 1946: Commanding Officer 58th Wing, Texas Air National Guard;
1954: Commanding Officer 8707th Pilot Training Wing;
1968: Retired.

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Navy Aviator Wing

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: 1939

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: 75th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:: November 18th, 2005

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, TENTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 25 October 25, 1942, while performing bomber escort duty over enemy-held territory in the China Theatre. On this date, Major Hill attacked, without hesitation, superior numbers of enemy aircraft that were rising to intercept United States B-24 bombers. Without hesitation, he turned his aircraft on its back for a high-speed dive and placed his aircraft between enemy fighters and the B-24 bombers. With exceptional flying ability, Major Hill forced enemy aircraft to turn from the attack and dive away. With skillful marksmanship, he destroyed one aircraft and severely damaged three others resulting in their probable destruction. Major Hill's leadership, spirit, and extraordinary heroism in action against enemy forces in carrying the attack to the enemy without thought of the odds against himself were an inspiration to all fighter pilots. By his intrepid direction, heroic leadership, and superior professional ability, Major Hill set an inspiring example to his fellow aviators. Major Hill's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 10th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces."

Headquarters: Department of the Army, General Orders 9, (18 November 2005).

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: 75th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces

"For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, TENTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."