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Probably one of the most famous fighter pilots in American history, he passed away in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 92.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, Chinese Order of the Cloud Banner 4th, 5th and 6th grades, 2-Star Wing Decorations, Chinese Victory Medal, and British Distinguished Flying Cross.

I find it interesting that the Chinese government run media has more stories about his passing than the US main stream media. Despite our political difference with the Chinese, they have always held a special place aside for the American Flying Tigers.



Tex Hill is the tallest pilot in the photo.


In the late 1930s, after completing college and naval flight school, Tex Hill served in a torpedo squadron aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3) and then in a squadron of dive bombers aboard the USS Ranger (CV-4).

In 1941 he was recruited to fly under the command of General Claire Chennault, leader of the American Volunteer Group (AVG), the famous Flying Tigers, in China. There he served as both flight leader and squadron leader of the 2nd Squadron, flying the famed Curtiss P-40 fighter.

When the Flying Tigers were disbanded in July, 1942, Hill accepted a battlefield commission in the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) and help activate the 75th Fighter Squadron, the Flying Sharks, of the 23rd Fighter Group. On Thanksgiving Day in 1943 he led a force of 12 North American B-25 Mitchell bombers, 10 Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighters, and 8 new North American P-51 Mustang fighters from Saichwan, China, on the first strike against Formosa.

By the time Colonel Hill separated from the Army Air Force in 1945, he was credited with 18 confirmed combat aerial victories and more than 20 probable victories. He joined the Texas Air National Guard where he became the youngest Brigadier General ever to serve in the Air National Guard. In addition to the Silver Star, Tex Hill has received three Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Air Medals. During World War II, Hill also received numerous awards and decorations from the Chinese Nationalist government.

he was credited with 18 confirmed combat aerial victories and more than 20 probable victories.