Forum: Air Power

From www.mysa.com

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_ ... lArticle=y

Retired Gen. James Hill's 37-year military career began during World War II. After joining the Army in 1943, he took a liking to the professional attire worn by pilots. That admiration spurred him to sign up for flight school.
Soon, Hill was flying B-24s over England while working under the command of movie legend Jimmy Stewart.

Hill died Oct. 1 from myelodysplastic syndrome. He was 86.

Before joining the military, Hill worked hard to put himself through high school, graduating at 16. His father died when Hill was 12 and his mother died three years later.

Hill's aunts helped provide meals for him and his brothers, but he basically supported himself at 15 by working as a newspaper delivery boy, selling hot peanuts and caddying for local golfers.

After graduating from high school, Hill attended Ohio State University.

“College didn't last too long, because Uncle Sam sent greetings and off he went,” his wife Jeffie Hill said.

Since he was a fan of Stewart's films, Hill was delighted to serve in the movie star's crew, and even more pleased to learn that Stewart was an impressive leader.

Soon, Hill was commanding his own crew and demonstrating leadership skills of his own.

An example of his dedication to his men took place after he completed all of his flight missions. Although Hill's missions were finished, he stayed behind to fly alongside a crew member who fell one mission short.

“I know that he was shot at a lot on these missions,” his wife said. “He said that one time he counted about 30 bullet holes in his plane after he landed.”

Later, Hill flew transport aircraft carrying supplies and wounded soldiers during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

In 1980, Hill retired from the Air Force and accepted the vice president position with Bell Aerospace Services. There, he had a role in developing the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. But after two years, he decided to retire permanently and focus on his second passion — golf.

The Hills had been stationed in San Antonio in the 1950s and decided it would be a nice place to retire.

“He loved Texas and I'm a native Texan, so I told him it was time to go back,” his wife said.

In 1983, they settled into life in San Antonio. Hill played golf “as much as possible” and won amateur tournaments. He also was an advocate for the First Tee Program, which offers children the opportunity to learn the game.

And though Hill never made it back to college, he became a devoted reader and self-taught scholar.

“Someone told him recently that they had never met a four-star general who didn't graduate from college,” his wife said. “He was really one of the smartest people I ever came in contact with.”

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Forum: Air Power

Retired Gen James Hill passes