Hillsdale Causeway Dedicated To WWII Ace

HILLSDALE, NJ — Part of a roadway has been renamed in honor of a World War II ace from the borough.

Col. Frank A. Hill flew 166 air combat missions in Europe and North Africa during Europe's greatest conflict. He was credited as the first pilot of an all-American group to shoot down a German fighter plane in combat. He was the first ace of the 31st Fighter Group and its commander.

The Frank A. Hill Causeway at the Woodcliff Lake Reservoir was dedicated July 21. The dedication was a joint effort by Suez Water and the borough.

Hill joined the Army Air Corps in 1939. During his 30-year career, Hill received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Silver Star, the Air Medal with 19 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters and five Air Force Commendation Medals.

Hill was inducted into the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame in 1992.

Email daniel.hubbard@patch.com. Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.

Photo, from left: Rich Henning, vice president of Suez Water, Bob Hill, Jan Schmidt and Tom Hill, the sons and daughter of Col. Frank Hill, Mayor Frank and police Capt. Sean Smith./Borough of Hillsdale