David Lee "Tex" Hill was born in 1915 to missionary parents at Kwangju, Korea. After graduating from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, Hill joined the U.S. Navy in 1939 to become an aviator. After earning his wings he served as both a torpedo bomber and dive bomber pilot. In 1941, he joined the American Volunteer Group (AVG) known as the Flying Tigers. Hill served as Flight Leader and Squadron Leader of the 2 nd (Panda Bear) Squadron. By the time the AVG was disbanded in the summer of 1942, David "Tex" Hill was a double ace, credited with 12 ¼ victories. Hill remained in China to activate the 234d Fighter Group. After a year in the U.S., Hill returned to China as a Colonel to take command of the 23 rd Fighter Group.

In 1944, Hill returned to the U.S. with 18 ¼ combat victories and took command of the 412 th Fighter Group, America's first operational jet fighter group flying the Bell YP-59 Airacomet and the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star. He separated from active service in 1945.

In July 1946, Hill was asked by Texas Governor Coke Stevenson to activate and accept Command of the 58 th wing of the Texas Air National Guar. Hill activated Guard units throughout the Gulf Coast and became the youngest Brigadier General in the history of the Guard. Tex Hill retired from the USAF Reserves in 1968.

Hill continued to be a strong proponent of aviation after retirement. Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1968, Tex and his wife, Mazie live in San Antonio, Texas.