Howard J. Hill

By zthanson, 22 November, 2022
First Name
Howard
Middle Name
J.
Last Name
Hill
Birthdate
Hometown
El Paso, TX
Rank
Captain
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Air Force suit.
PreCapture Description

Howard Hill entered the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1961 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force upon graduation on June 9, 1965. Hill next completed Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB, Texas, and then F-4D Phantom II combat crew training. He then served with the 40th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Eglin AFB, Florida, until May 1967, when he began flying combat missions in Southeast Asia with the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon Royal Thai AFB, Thailand. Hill then joined the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, also at Ubon, where he served from June 1967 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam on December 16, 1967.

Post Release Image
Older man giving a speech at a podium.
Post Release Description

Captain Hill was released during “Operation Homecoming” on March 14, 1973. He then flew as a transport pilot at Andrews AFB, Maryland, from November 1973 to July 1976. Hill then attended Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, where he graduated in August 1977. From there he served with Military Airlift Command at Scott AFB, Illinois, from August 1977 to July 1980. Hill served with the 20th Military Airlift Squadron at Charleston AFB, South Carolina, from July 1980 to September 1982, and then on the staff of the 437th Military Airlift Wing, also at Charleston, until June 1984. From June 1984 to May 1985, he served at Headquarters USAF in the Pentagon, and then as the Principal Advisor to the Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affiars from June 1985 to April 1988. Colonel Hill's final assignment was with the Air Force Element at the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C., where he served from April 1988 until his retirement from the Air Force on June 30, 1989.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Silver Star (2)
  • Defense Superior Service Medal
  • Legion of Merit
  • Distinguished Flying Cross
  • Bronze Star (2)
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release