RADM Virgil L Hill Jr., USN (Ret.)

Admiral Hill was born in Shelby, NC, on April 2, 1938 and grew up in High Point, where he graduated with honors from High Point High School in 1956. Upon graduation he attended Iowa State College in Ames, IA, on an NROTC scholarship. In June 1957, he received a Congressional appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy; graduating with distinction in June 1961.

After nuclear power and submarine training, he reported to his first submarine, USS BARB (SSN 596), which was being built in Pascagoula, MS, in April 1963. After commissioning, BARB departed for the West Coast via the Panama Canal. As Junior Officer of the Deck, LTJG Hill retained the Conn during the first-ever transit of a nuclear-powered submarine through the Panama Canal.

While the ship was based in Vallejo, California, Lieutenant (junior grade) Hill returned to Fort Lee, VA, to marry the former Kimberly Jordan. The couple met on a blind date for the 1962 Army-Navy game in Philadelphia (Navy 34 - Army 14).

BARB was next home-ported in Pearl Harbor, HI, where their son, Scott, was born. Lieutenant Hill was transferred, in January 1966, back to Vallejo, CA, to teach at the Naval Nuclear Power School, where their daughter, Kelly, was born.

The Admiral was next assigned as Engineer Officer on the ballistic missile submarine USS THOMAS JEFFERSON (SSBN 618) in Newport News, VA, and later home-ported in New London, CT. In October 1969, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and was transferred to the staff of Commander Submarine Squadron Eighteen in Charleston, SC, as Staff Material Officer.

In May 1973, Lieutenant Commander Hill was selected to be the first Executive Officer of the USS L. MENDEL RIVERS (SSN 686), a submarine under construction at Newport News, VA. He was selected for early promotion to the rank of Commander in 1975 and reported to the office of Admiral Rickover, Director of the Naval Reactors Program, to begin a six-month training program as a prospective nuclear submarine commanding officer.

In April 1976, Commander Hill took command of the USS HAMMERHEAD (SSN 663), a nuclear-powered attack submarine, in ceremonies at Norfolk, VA. During the four years that he was in command, HAMMERHEAD conducted a number of highly successful Mediterranean and classified deployments. The ship was awarded unit commendations and the Battle Efficiency "E." Hill received three personal awards and was selected for Captain.

He was transferred in May 1980 to the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington, DC, as Director of Special Projects, responsible for one of the nation’s most significant intelligence collection programs. His successful negotiation of several important Navy-to-Navy bilateral support agreements were recognized by the awarding of the Legion of Merit. He was specifically cited by the British First Sea Lord for his support of the United Kingdom and Royal Navy during the Falklands War.

In July 1983, he took command of Submarine Development Squadron Twelve at the Submarine Base in New London, CT. This unique assignment involved direct supervision of a squadron of nuclear-powered submarines in addition to responsibility for developing and proving all tactics for the entire submarine force. His initiatives in submarine warfare and tactical computer programs were recognized with the award of the Legion of Merit.

In 1985, the Admiral was selected for flag rank, the first of his class to be so honored. Rear Admiral Hill was assigned as Director, Attack Submarine Division, in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon. This responsibility included the funding, development and design of the Navy's new attack submarine, the SSN-21. As OP-22, Hill conducted the planning and execution of the successful search for the remains of the USS Thresher by Dr. Robert Ballard of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

In May 1987, Admiral Hill assumed command of Submarine Group Five in San Diego, CA. His responsibilities included 25 nuclear-powered attack submarines, three submarine squadrons, two submarine tenders, a submarine training facility and the Submarine Base at San Diego. He was selected for promotion to two-star (Rear Admiral, Upper Half) rank and became the 53rd Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, in August 1988.

As Superintendent, Admiral Hill was responsible for 7,000 personnel, including the 4,500 men and women of the Brigade of Midshipmen. During his three years as Superintendent, Admiral Hill oversaw a complete restructuring of the academic curriculum, a major upgrade in facilities, and what was at the time the largest fund-raising campaign in the history of the Academy, culminating in the construction of Alumni Hall. For his efforts, the Admiral was awarded the Navy's highest peacetime award, the Distinguished Service Medal. Both he and Mrs. Hill were uniquely honored when they were both chosen as honorary graduates of the Class of 1989.

In July 1991, Admiral Hill took command of the Operational Test and Evaluation Force at Norfolk, VA, where he was responsible for operational test and evaluation of all new ships, submarines, aircraft and weapon systems proposed for introduction in the Navy as well as development of tactics for their employment.

Following his retirement from the Navy in 1993, Admiral Hill served as President of the Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, PA for seven years. During his tenure, he grew enrollment by more than 40%, pioneered a scholarship program for under privileged students to attend, and revitalized fundraising efforts, resulting in several new buildings. While living in Wayne, he also served on numerous local and national boards, including the Union League of Philadelphia and the Greater Main Line Branch of the American Red Cross.

After retiring from Valley Forge, Admiral Hill moved to Ambler, PA, where he taught at Villanova University’s School of Business as the Distinguished Professor of Leadership and Ethics. He also proudly served as a trustee of the U.S. Naval Academy Athletics and Scholarship Programs Foundation from 2001 until elevated to emeritus status in 2017.

In 2016, Admiral Hill and his wife moved to Lancaster, PA.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kim, his children Scott and Kelly, and granddaughters, Olivia and India.

Military Funeral Service and Celebration of Life

RADM Virgil L. Hill Jr. (1938 - 2024)

United States Naval Academy Chapel

Annapolis, Maryland

10:30 am on Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Your RSVP to

[email protected]

We would be greatly appreciated if you plan to attend the service and repast to email us. This will help us ensure smooth arrangements. Additional details will be provided in reply.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the

Naval Academy Fund

@ USNA Foundation

usna.com/give