AREA NATIVE EARNS TOP MILITARY AWARD

Navy Lt. Andrew Hill of San Diego, formerly of Benton, was named the 1994 Attack Aviator of the Year.

The award, presented aboard the USS Constellation, was named after Lt. Cmdr. Michael Hoff, who is listed as missing in action in 1970 after failing to return to his aircraft from a combat mission over Vietnam.

Hill is one of only a few Navy pilots who are also Marine Corps air combat tactics instructors.