Pilot Col. David “Tex” Hill of the 26th FS 51st Fighter Group on his P-51 Mustang.
e r a u Yo
e r u t u F e th Based on the True Life story of
Tex Hill
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Tex Hill: You are the future
THE MAKING OF
A HERO
There’s an unmistakable thrill at the movies when the theater goes dark and the action begins: the pounding of hooves, the scream of fighter jets, the squeal of tires, and of course, the riveting characters. By the time the film reaches its conclusion, we’re captivated by the “heroes” and the daring deeds we’ve seen on the silver screen. Of course, most of these “heroes” are fictional, dreamed up in someone’s mind with no connection to real life. And yet, in the world around us, there are people whose bravery and selflessness make them true heroes. One of these true heroes was Brigadier General David Lee “Tex” Hill, Class of ’28 — a young man who shared a few things in common with all
Tex Hills Class of 1928 top row third from left.
of you.
North Flores campus.
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Tex Hill: You are the future
A WORLD AT WAR
There’s an unmistakable thrill at the movies when the theater goes dark and the action begins: the pounding of hooves, the scream of fighter jets, the squeal of tires, and of course, the riveting characters. By the time the film reaches its conclusion, we’re captivated by the “heroes” and the daring deeds we’ve seen on the silver screen. Of course, most of these “heroes” are fictional, dreamed up in someone’s mind with no connection to real life. And yet, in the world around us, there are people whose bravery and selflessness make them true heroes. One of these true heroes was Brigadier General David Lee “Tex” Hill, Class of ’28 — a young man who shared a few things in common with all of you. To learn Tex’s story, we’ll have to go back to 1941, just months before
One of the first young men recruited to the AVG was a six foot one, soft spoken young fighter pilot Named
Tex Hill. 3
America entered World War II. Since 1937, the Chinese had been
President Roosevelt thought it would be disastrous to allow the
resisting Japanese advances on mainland Asia. But that spring of 1941,
Japanese to continue to run roughshod, so to aid the Chinese in their
Japanese pilots were bombarding China’s cities and cutting off their
efforts against Japan, President Roosevelt and his advisors organized
troops and supply lines, and unfortunately for China, they simply didn’t
a group of fighter pilots they called the First American Volunteer Group
have the planes — or the pilots — to fight back. The Japanese Air Force
(AVG). One of the first young men recruited to the AVG was a six-foot-
appeared invincible.
one, soft-spoken young fighter pilot named Tex Hill, who, as you might suspect, hailed from the Lone Star State.
Half a world away, President Franklin Roosevelt was concerned. He
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believed that before too long, the United States might be forced to enter
But more precisely, Tex was from San Antonio — and he was a graduate
the war and fight against the Japanese forces, who were well trained,
of San Antonio Academy. As a boy, he was taught the same values of
highly disciplined, and so loyal to their emperor that they were willing
integrity, respect, pride in achievement, honor and patriotism that you
to die for him. Many people believed that this combination of qualities
learn about today. And although The Code wasn’t around back in his
made the Japanese unstoppable.
day, you’ll see that Tex lived it to the best of his ability.
Former members of the American Volunteer Group, Flying Tigers, serving with the 23rd Fighter Group, standing beside a Curtiss P-40, Kunming, China, July 1942. Left to right: Maj. John R. Alison, Maj. David Lee "Tex" Hill, Capt. Albert J. "Ajax" Baumler, and 1st Lt. Mack A. Mitchell. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C., Record Group 342.
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Flying Tigers Legend Tex Hill SAA Class of 1928.
Although The Code wasn t around back in his day, you ll see that Tex lived it to the Best
of His Ability.
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T
Tex Hill visiting students in chapel.
Tex Hill: You are the future
LIVING BY THE CODE
Tex joined the AVG in 1941, and during the course of his service, he showed more bravery than any movie hero. He saw his first action with the AVG in early 1942. In his first dogfight, Tex shot down two Japanese planes over a Japanese airbase in Thailand. Another time, 20 Japanese fighter planes attacked the AVG’s airbase. Tex — who was a squadron leader at the time — and nine of his pilots leaped into their planes and roared into the sky to fight back. Tex ended up in head-to-head combat with the Japanese flight leader, with both planes flying straight toward each other. Just as they were about to collide, Tex shot the Japanese plane down in a burst of gunfire, then rejoined his squadron and sent the rest of the Japanese packing. The AVG was so dominant that the Chinese nicknamed the group “the Flying Tigers.” During his service, Tex became one of the most famous aviators in American history and scored a “triple flying ace” by shooting down more than 15 enemy planes. In total, he is credited with destroying 18-¼ planes during air battles — the ¼ comes from a joint effort with other members of his squadron. While Tex was still alive, he used to come and talk to SAA students every year. Since he passed away in 2007, I’ve thought about what he always said to our students when he visited — and three things stand out.
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Tex Hill: You are the future
01 01
LEADERSHIP AND CHARACTER ARE INEXTRICABLY INTERTWINED. There is no question that Tex Hill was a leader. After commanding his squadron in the Flying Tigers, he went on to serve as a colonel in the United States Army Air Forces (now called the United States Air Force), then after World War II ended, he became a brigadier general in the Texas Air National Guard at the age of 31 — the youngest in the history of the Air National Guard! The word “leader” gets thrown around a lot — but what does it really mean to be a leader? Real leaders unite people. They get others moving in the same direction, following the same game plan, working together to accomplish the same goal. And they do this by being people whom others want to follow — because they have character.
As you know, character is summed up by The Code. Leaders tell the truth, they treat people with respect, kindness and dignity, and they take pride in what they do. They give their best effort every day, and they never give up. You don’t have to be a flying ace to be a leader, but you can’t be a leader without character. If you follow The Code, you lead others to do the same. Tex Hill lived by The Code, led by example, and was a great man who left a lasting, positive impact on the world and those who knew him.
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You don t have to be a flying ace to be a leader, but you can t Be A Leader
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without character.
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Tex Hill: You are the future
02 02
WORK HARD, STICK TO YOUR VALUES, AND TRUST GOD. Tex is such a famous American hero that the movie Flying Tigers was
Tex was a hero even when he wasn’t in the cockpit of a fighter plane.
made about his adventures. In that movie, the main character is loosely
He was a hero because, behind the scenes, he was always quietly
based on Tex, and he is portrayed by none other than the legendary
trying to help people. He would give a word of encouragement, serve
actor John Wayne! But in fact, Tex would tell you he was just an ordinary
as a peacemaker, and he would find ways to help others. Tex is a
guy who trusted God and lived by The Code. That was the advice Tex
great example of this key truth: that heroes are everyday people who
always gave when he would come back to visit the school: “Work hard,
transcend the ordinary because of their integrity and their willingness to
stick to your values, and trust God.”
sacrifice for others. They find ways to care for the little guy and do their best every single day.
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Proud Tex Hill Scholarship recipients standing by his famous quote.
Tex Hill: You are the future
03 03
BE PROUD OF YOUR COUNTRY — AND LIVE UP TO ITS VALUES AND IDEALS! Make no mistake; we live in the greatest nation in the world, enjoying
of Allegiance, I urge you to not just go through the motions. Instead,
freedoms unlike any other. And it’s because of the courage, sacrifice,
take that opportunity to think of the people who have come before
and faith of men like Tex Hill, who put their lives on the line to keep
you and built this great nation. Then think of what you can do to live
America free. You know that we pledge allegiance to the flag every
up to the values and ideals of America.
morning and close chapel by praying the Lord’s Prayer. We begin each day with God and country. When we salute and say the Pledge
When you follow the game plan and stick to The Code, you’ll be amazed at what can happen. Dream big. You can become a leader by setting a good example and by helping one person at a time, one day at a time. Tex Hill — who in many ways was just like you — did just that: he fought for our nation, provided leadership for many and was a real hero in every sense. You can become a leader and a hero, too, by following The Code and earning respect. As Tex used to tell our students each time he came to visit: “I am so proud of you boys. You are our nation’s future leaders. Work hard, stick to your values and trust God.”
The Honor Guard, 2018.
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When you follow the game plan and stick to The Code, you ll be amazed at what can happen.
. g i B D ream
D
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Tex Hill signing books at the Academy.
Tex Hill visiting the Academy.
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