half of the United States. General Hill was vice commander in chief, SAC Headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska from July 1 to December 6, 1977, when he assumed command of North American Air Defense Command (NORAD), and was promoted to the rank of general on December 21, 1977. Later life Hill retired on December 31, 1979, and in retirement was President of the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce. Hill died of cancer on May 20, 1999, aged 77, and was buried at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery. Awards and decorations Distinguished Service Cross citation Hill, James Erskine Major (Air Corps), U.S Army Air Forces 388th Fighter Squadron, 365th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force Date of Action: April 18, 1945 Headquarters, U.S. Army Air Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 134 (October 14, 1945) Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Air Corps) James Erskine Hill, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt of the 388th Fighter Squadron, 365th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in action while leading a squadron of eleven P-47's on 18 April 1945. On this date, Major Hill encountered and aggressively attacked a numerically superior force of ME-109's. Demonstrating cool judgment and daring courage, he personally destroyed three enemy aircraft and expertly led and directed his squadron mates in the destruction of seven more in the air, two on the ground, and one damaged on the ground, thus accounting for all the enemy aircraft encountered without loss of a single P-47 or pilot. Major Hill's heroism, skill, and complete disregard for his personal safety reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Legacy The General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award is presented annually by the Space Foundation to an outstanding individual who has distinguished himself/herself through lifetime contributions to the welfare or betterment of humankind through the exploration, development and use of space, or the use of space technology, information, themes or resources in academic, cultural, industrial or other pursuits of broad benefit to humanity. Gen. Hill was the chairman of the Space Foundation from 1986 to 1999. Recipients include: 2002 Norman R. Augustine 2003 CAPT James A.