From Medal of Honor Citations for World War II:
KEARBY, NEEL E. (Air Mission)
Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Army Air Corps.
Place and date: Near Wewak, New Guinea, 11 October 1943. Entered service at:
Dallas, Tex. Birth: Wichita Falls, Tex. G.O. No.: 3, 6 January 1944. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in
action with the enemy, Col. Kearby volunteered to lead a flight of 4 fighters to
reconnoiter the strongly defended enemy base at Wewak. Having observed enemy
installations and reinforcements at 4 airfields, and secured important tactical
information, he saw an enemy fighter below him, made a diving attack and shot it
down in flames. The small formation then sighted approximately 12 enemy bombers
accompanied by 36 fighters. Although his mission had been completed, his fuel
was running low, and the numerical odds were 12 to 1, he gave the signal to
attack. Diving into the midst of the enemy airplanes he shot down 3 in quick
succession. Observing 1 of his comrades with 2 enemy fighters in pursuit, he
destroyed both enemy aircraft. The enemy broke off in large numbers to make a
multiple attack on his airplane but despite his peril he made one more pass
before seeking cloud protection. Coming into the clear, he called his flight
together and led them to a friendly base. Col. Kearby brought down 6 enemy
aircraft in this action, undertaken with superb daring after his mission was
completed.
Colonel Kearby was the commander of the 348th Fighter Group, flying the P-47 Thunderbolt. By March, 1944 he personally was credited with the destruction of 22 enemy aircraft. Sadly, Colonel Kearby was shot down on March 5, 1944 later in the New Guinea campaign and died of his wounds. He rests in Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park in Dallas, TX.
We are forever grateful to our brave airmen, and for Neel E. Kearby's finest hour in service to our Nation on October 11, 1943.
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