He became a World War II ace , credited with five enemy aircraft shot down while flying 127 combat missions .
In December 1943 , Hill was assigned to the European theater of operations as a P - 47 Thunderbolt fighter pilot .
Hill became a World War II ace , credited with five enemy aircraft shot down while flying 127 combat missions .
In December 1943 , Hill was assigned to the European theater of operations as a P - 47 Thunderbolt fighter pilot .