Comments on: Ave atque vale

By: Steeljaw Scribe » Heroic Life - A Quiet Passing

Steeljaw Scribe » Heroic Life - A Quiet Passing — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 23:18:24 +0000

[...] Hill passed away this past Thursday at the age of 92. Lex has the full account here. A life filled with accomplishments in service to his country and to a people facing a [...]

By: Therapist1

Therapist1 — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 05:25:58 +0000

Had the opportunity to see he and a few of his colleagues speak at my undergraduate school in 1994. It was inspiring.

By: sid

sid — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 22:56:03 +0000

There was a big Pensacola connection in the AVG. It was a fruitful recruiting ground, and its not well known that a very large percentage were Naval Aviators.

By: Bomber Guy

Bomber Guy — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 19:42:42 +0000

Well after retirement General Hill continued to fly warbirds with what was then called, “The Confederate Air Force.” I consider having had the privilage of flying formation with him to be one of the high points of my career.

I didn’t learn of the General’s passing until today, but yesterday’s USAF Heritage Flight (P-51, F-16 & F-15) at MCAS Miramar seemed unusally poignant to everyone on the ground. I’d like to think he was watching.

By: Marine6

Marine6 — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 19:34:15 +0000

The AVG was a remarkable Band of Brothers. Recruited from the the services, they essentially were mercenaries, fighting the Japanese and being paid a bonus for each Japanese plane they shot down. Outnumbered, out gunned, flying inferior aircraft, they still managed to acquit themselves with honor. Under a maverick commander, General Claire Chennault, they demonstrated hit and run tactics that would stand Navy and Marine pilots in good stead against the A6M Zero in the years to come.

Tex Hill was a warrior, a gentleman, and one hell of a pilot. He has gone to join those of AVG such as Greg Boyington who undoubtedly await at that happy hour in the sky.

Farewell, general, you will be missed.