U.S. Air Force General James E. Hill's Visor Hat
This is a United States Air Force visor hat dating to the Cold War era (1947-1991). It belonged to General James A. Hill, commander-in-chief of the North American Air Defense Command and the United States Air Force Aerospace Defense Command. The hat features a blue body with a knit hat band. On the front is a silver metal Air Force officer's cap badge, featuring the U.S. coat of arms. The badge has a back screw attachment. Below the cap badge is a black leather chinstrap attached by a pair of buttons embossed with the USAF seal. On the visor is a set of silver embroidered clouds with lighting bolts, designating the wearer as an officer. On the inside is a plastic sweat cover with a manufacturers stamp underneath. The hat was produced by Berkshire Deluxe. Underneath the sweatband is the hat size, 7 1/4, as well as a USAF certificate of approval.
Historical Context
General James E. Hill was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1921. He joined the United States Army Air Corps as a cadet in 1942. During World War II, Hill was commissioned as a second lieutenant and served in the European Theater of Operations as a fighter pilot. He flew the P-47 Thunderbolt and completed 127 combat missions, becoming a flying ace while shooting down five enemy aircraft.
After the war the Air Force released Hill from active duty. He went on to command a P-51 squadron in the Oklahoma National Guard. He returned to active duty in 1948 and was sent to the 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Itazuke Air Base, Japan in 1950. He flew 128 combat missions in the Korean War, downing one enemy aircraft. During this time he piloted the F-80 aircraft. Hill returned to the states in 1951.
James Hill held a number of different posts throughout the rest of his career. These posts included various units throughout England, including attendance at the Royal Air Force Flying College at Royal Air Force Station, Manby. He also held many positions in the United States and overseas in the Philippines. Then a major, James Hill was appointed chief of the North American Air Defense Command and the U.S. Air Force Aerospace Defense Command in 1977 where he earned the rank of General before retiring.
General Hill retired from the Air Force in 1979. By the end of his career he had earned several service medals, including: the "Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 40 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal, French Croix de Guerre, and Belgian Croix de Guerre." General Hill died on May 20, 1999.1
| United States | Cold War |
| Visor Hat | 1947 — 2009 |
| Berkshire Deluxe | |
| USV-173-0310 | |
