Question: What Texan commanded the first American jet fighter group?
Answer: David Lee “Tex” Hill. Born in Korea to Presbyterian missionaries in 1915, Hill graduated from San Antonio Academy and attended Texas A&M University and Austin College. He joined the Navy in 1938 and was recruited to join the 1st American Volunteer Group, later known as the Flying Tigers. During World War II, he downed 18 enemy aircraft.
In 1944, Hill took command of the 412th Fighter Group, consisting of the P-59 Airacomet and the P-80 Shooting Star. After the war, Texas Gov. Coke Stevenson appointed him commander of the 136th Fighter Group of the Texas Air National Guard. Upon his promotion to brigadier general, he became the youngest to achieve that rank in the history of the Air National Guard.
