Kearby, Neel Ernest

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Date of birth:: June 5th, 1911 (Wichita Falls/Texas, United States)
Date of death:: March 5th, 1944 (Papua New Guinea)
Buried on:: American War Graves Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park
Plot: 13. Row: 19. Grave: 7 & 8.
Nationality:: American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

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Medal of Honor - Army (MoH)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Colonel
Unit:: 343rd Fighter Group, 5th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:: January 6th, 1944

"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."

General Orders No. 3, January 6th, 1944

Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Colonel
Unit:: 343rd Fighter Group, 5th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces

Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Colonel
Unit:: 343rd Fighter Group, 5th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Colonel
Unit:: 343rd Fighter Group, 5th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Colonel
Unit:: 343rd Fighter Group, 5th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Colonel
Unit:: 343rd Fighter Group, 5th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Colonel
Unit:: 343rd Fighter Group, 5th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces

Purple Heart

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Colonel
Unit:: 343rd Fighter Group, 5th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces

Air Medal (AM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Air Medal (AM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Air Medal (AM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Air Medal (AM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Air Medal (AM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

American Defence Service Medal

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

American Campaign Medal

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

With silver and bronze campaign stars

World War Two Victory Medal

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

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