I can’t believe we didn’t get a successful guess!
Our July trivia subject was a real honest to God stud and a man’s man.
He was of course played in a movie by no less than John Wayne!
The answer: David “Tex”Hill, look at the cliff notes of his accomplishments.
Rank
Brigadier General
Unit
Flying Tigers
Commands held
58th Fighter Wing
412th Fighter Group
23rd Fighter Group
1st Proving Ground Group
75th Fighter Squadron
Battles/wars
World War II
Korean War
Awards
Distinguished Service Cross
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross (3)
Air Medal (2)
Order of the Cloud and Banner (China)
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
He flew for the Flying Tigers, was an ace, first American pilot to shoot down an enemy with a jet in WWII, he had a total of 18 kills. His most significant achievement was destroying Japanese bridges across the Salween River in China. It was a mile deep gorge, and in their attacks the Japanese shot down at them from the top of the gorge, from the sides, and up at them from below. The destruction of this Japanese full army advance ended Japan’s take over of China. This was the furthest point Japan ever reached in their conquest. It was an incredible victory.
Later Tex Hill became the youngest Brigadier General in the United States and went on to found and lead the Texas air national guard.
John Wayne portrayed Tex Hill in the movie “Flying Tigers”. Tex and the Duke became friends and hunting buddies.
