[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 140-141]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



COMMENDING LT. GENERAL WILLIAM F. PITTS, AND REAR ADMIRAL ALLEN E. HILL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, January 6, 2001

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, today I speak with great pride to commend 
and praise two magnificent Americans--men who unselfishly made a career 
of serving their country, in times of peace and war, one in the United 
States Air Force and the other in the United States Navy. On November 
20, 2000 I had the honor of emceeing an event where the names of these 
native sons--both born in my Congressional district of Riverside, 
California--were inscribed on the Mission Inn Fliers' Wall. The men of 
whom I speak so highly and hold in such esteem are Lieutenant General 
William F. Pitts, U.S. Air Force, and Rear Admiral Allen E. Hill, U.S. 
Navy.
  On March 26, 1934, the first wing ceremony of the Mission Inn Fliers' 
Wall took place and established a tradition that recognizes great 
aviators and contributors of aviation. For the ceremony a pair of 
copper wings, bearing the name of the date that the flier visited the 
Mission Inn, is attached to the wall of the St. Francis Chapel--The 
International Shrine of Aviators. A 20th century phenomenon, man's 
taking to the sky can be recognized by any visitor to the Fliers' Wall 
today, we have all seen incredible events in air or space in our 
individual lifetimes. I was proud to witness Lt. General William F. 
Pitts and Rear Admiral Allen E. Hill place their wings among the 141

[[Page 141]]

presently on the wall--the wings of pioneers and heros--taking their 
place of honor among the great birdmen of history.
  Lt. General William Pitts gave over 36 years to his country in the 
United States Air Force commanding a broad array of units from a 
bombardment squadron to the sixth Allied Tactical Air Force in NATO at 
Izmir, Turkey. In World War II he flew B-29 aircraft striking at the 
Japanese Empire from Pacific bases on 25 missions. He completed his 
service at March Air Force Base (now March Air Reserve Base) in 1975 as 
the Commanding General of the Fifteenth Air Force, Strategic Air 
Command. The Fifteenth Air Force was responsible for the Strategic Air 
Command operations in the Western United States and Alaska with a mixed 
force of reconnaissance, bomber aircraft and missiles that supported 
the national strategic deterrence mission.
  Lt. General William Pitts has received numerous decorations and 
awards during his service that include the Distinguished Service Medal, 
Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross 
with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air 
Force Commendation Medal, Purple Heart and others.
  Rear Admiral Allen E. Hill made a career in the United States Navy 
serving as a carrier aviator, where he participated in five combat 
cruises and flew over 400 combat missions. In fact, he was twice 
deployed to Korea flying F-9/F-2 Panthers and, during his first combat 
cruise, he and three other pilots participated in the first all jet and 
highest aerial engagement in the history of air warfare. He retired 
only after accomplishing his objective of institutionalizing the 
tactical training of Naval officers responsible for Battle Group 
operations, through his opportunity to establish in Washington, DC, an 
office of Director of Tactical Readiness. In that position he was the 
first Admiral to be completely responsible for Naval Warfare Doctrine, 
the tactical training of Fleet Commanders and Battle Group Commanders, 
and the Assessment of Warfare Readiness.
  Rear Admiral Allen E. Hill has been awarded over fifty personal 
combat decorations, including the Distinguished Service Medal, Four 
Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Purple Heart, three Legion of Merit 
awards, the Korean War Presidential Commendation, two Bronze Stars with 
``V'' clasps for valor in combat and many others.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with pride that I bring the story of these two men 
to my colleagues. The Mission Inn Fliers' Wall recognizes the role 
aviation has had in America's fight for freedom and democracy. To Lt. 
General William Pitts and Rear Admiral Allen Hill I would like to say 
``God Bless You'' and ``God Bless America''--without them, and all of 
our service men and women, America would not be the strong and healthy 
democracy it is today.

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