The Flying Tiger

David Lee “Tex” Hill (Class of 1928) was a decorated World War II fighter pilot and a member of the famous Flying Tigers, where he fought in Burma, China and Thailand. He shot down 18 ¼ enemy aircraft during the war. The American Volunteer Group was made famous in the 1942 film, Flying Tigers, in which John Wayne portrayed Tex Hill. 

The youngest Brigadier General in the history of the Texas Air National Guard, Hill received many awards including: The Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, six Chinese combat decorations and the Order of the Cloud and Banner.

Tex Hill was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1968. In 1999, he was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame located at the Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston, Texas. In 2002, Tex was awarded an honorary lifetime member of the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary with a squadron of the Civil Air Patrol named in his honor – the Tex Hill Composite Squadron, of San Marcos, Texas (SWR-TX-435). 

Former Head of School, John Webster, recalls the last time Tex Hill spoke to SAA students in Chapel when he said, “I am so proud of you boys! You are our nation's future leaders. Work hard and stick to your values.” 

In 1987, BG Hill received the Colonel W.T. Bondurant, Sr. Distinguished Humanitarian Award and the San Antonio Academy Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007 (posthumous).