The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Neel Ernest Kearby (ASN: 0-21630), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot with Headquarters, V Fighter Command, FIFTH Air Force, while participating in aerial flight over Wewak, New Guinea, on 9 January 1944. Colonel Kearby was leading a flight of four P-47s in a fighter sweep when eighteen enemy fighters were observed approaching from the rear. His flight made a head-on pass at the enemy and Colonel Kearby singled out and attacked one of the enemy airplanes. He saw his tracers enter the fuselage and shortly afterwards the enemy fighter began smoking and crashed into the sea. Observing a P-47 of his flight being attacked by two enemy fighters, Colonel Kearby went to his aid, breaking up the attack. He fired on one fighter, but did not observe definite results, and then made a head-on pass at the other enemy aircraft. A large sheet of flame burst from the root of the right wing of the enemy airplane and it dived into the sea. The courage, ability and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Kearby on this occasion are worthy of the highest commendation.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Neel Ernest Kearby (ASN: 0-21630), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot with Headquarters, V Fighter Command, FIFTH Air Force, while participating in aerial flights in the Southwest Pacific area from 16 September 1943 to 1 January 1944. During this period, Colonel Kearby participated in sustained operational activity against the enemy during which hostile contact was probable and expected. These flights included escorting bombers and transport aircraft, interception and attack missions, and patrol and reconnaissance flights. In the course of these operations, strafing and bombing attacks were made from dangerously low altitudes, destroying and damaging enemy installations and equipment. Throughout these operations, Colonel Kearby displayed outstanding courage, ability, and devotion to duty.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Neel Ernest Kearby (ASN: 0-21630), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism in flight and exceptional and outstanding accomplishment in the face of great danger above and beyond the line of duty while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot with Headquarters, V Fighter Command, FIFTH Air Force over Wewak, New Guinea, on 19 October 1943. While flying on a fighter sweep, a formation of four P-47 type aircraft encountered six enemy fighters. Colonel Kearby shot down one enemy fighter on the initial pass. Turning, he attacked another fighter which burst into flames ad crashed into the sea. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.