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.
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Awards Received
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Medal of Honor
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Medal of Honor
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
343d Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
October 11, 1943
War Department, General Orders No. 3 (January 6, 1944)The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Colonel (Air Corps) Neel Ernest Kearby (ASN: 0-21630), United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 343d Fighter Group, Fifth Air Force, in action with the enemy over Wewak, New Guinea, on 11 October 1943. Colonel Kearby volunteered to lead a flight of four fighters to reconnoiter the strongly defended enemy base at Wewak. Having observed enemy installations and reinforcements at four 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 twelve-to-one, he gave the signal to attack. Diving into the midst of the enemy airplanes he shot down three in quick succession. Observing one of his comrades with two 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. Colonel Kearby brought down six enemy aircraft in this action, undertaken with superb daring after his mission was completed.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
V Fighter CommandDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
September 16, 1943 – January 1, 1944
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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
348th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
September 4, 1943
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting 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, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, while participating in aerial flights south of Hopei, New Guinea, on 4 September 1943. Colonel Kearby was pilot of a P-47 type aircraft which was leading airplane on a flight of four engaged in an interception mission. He led his flight in a dive on one enemy bomber and two enemy fighter aircraft and, in the ensuing engagement, shot down two enemy aircraft into the sea. The courage, ability and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Kearby on this occasion are worthy of the highest commendation.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
343d Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
December 3, 1943
Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 306 (July 30, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Colonel (Air Corps) Neel Ernest Kearby (ASN: 0-21630), United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry in action against an armed hostile force while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Airplane with the 343d Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy over Wewak, New Guinea, on 3 December 1943. Colonel Kearby led a flight of four P-47s on a sweep over this Japanese base. Sighting approximately twenty-four fighter[s] flying in loose formation about 4,000 feet below, the P-47 pilots, diving rapidly, attacked the enemy from the rear, and Colonel Kearby opened fire from a range of 1,500 feet. A Zero rolled over, with flames billowing from its fuselage and plunged into the sea. Although opposed to the fired of numerous hostile planes, Colonel Kearby continued his attack directly through the formation. Four Japanese fighters intercepted his plane, but he turned into the flight and fired a burst into the leading aircraft, causing it to immediately become enveloped in flames. Swinging his line of fire, he riddled a third Zero, and the damaged fighter fell in a vertical dive to the ground. Colonel Kearby’s display of gallantry and determination in engaging more than five-to-one odds while over an enemy base exemplified the highest traditions of the United States Army Air Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
V Fighter CommandDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
October 19, 1943
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.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
343d Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
October 16, 1943
Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 306 (November 30, 1943)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Air Corps) Neel Ernest Kearby (ASN: 0-21630), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Airplane of the 343d Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations over
Wewak, New Guinea, on 16 October 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Kearby, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.