Salute to Veterans: Medal of Honor Recipient & Local Hero Neel Kearby

Published on November 07, 2025

Colonel Neel E. Kearby

By the Office of Communications

More than 80 years after local World War II hero and Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Neel E. Kearby’s final mission, the Arlington community and the nation continue to honor his life and legacy.

A graduate of Arlington High School and North Texas Agricultural College (now known as The University of Texas at Arlington), Kearby became one of the most decorated fighter pilots of WWII with a record-setting 22 aerial victories. Kearby earned the Medal of Honor over the skies of New Guinea when, even after completing his assigned mission and with fuel running low, he brought down six enemy aircraft and saved his wingman’s life. 

Despite his assignment to administrative duties following his Medal action, Kearby still wanted to be in combat. He flew missions whenever he could, and his victory tally continued to rise. On March 5, 1944, Kearby took off on his final combat mission. While attacking a Japanese formation, his plane was hit by machine-gun fire and crashed. After the war, his remains and the wreckage of his plane, "Fiery Ginger IV, were found. The wreckage, along with a rebuilt version of his plane, is on display in the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Col. Kearby was buried with full military honors at Hillcrest Cemetery in Dallas in 1949. 

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Kearby was awarded two Silver Stars, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, five Air Medals and one Purple Heart.

Arlington's World War II Memorial, established by the City of Arlington and the Arlington Historical Society in the City Center Plaza, includes a bronze statue honoring this legendary ace.

The memorial site, located between City Hall and the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library, also includes a monument that lists the names of 50 Arlington men who lost their lives on battlefields across Europe, North Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands between 1941 and 1945 as well as a monument that outlines the contributions of more than 5,000 students, alumni and faculty members of North Texas Agricultural College who answered the nation’s call to arms during the war. 

The National Medal of Honor Museum, which opened in Arlington's Entertainment District in March 2025, also recognized Colonel Kearby's 'tremendous legacy of service and sacrifice' by naming its theatre after him. The museum features more than 100,000 square feet of space, including 31,000 square feet dedicated to Exhibition Galleries telling the history of the Medal of Honor and the stories of the American heroes who earned it. 

statue of Colonel Neel Kearby outside City Hall

 

Medal of Honor 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. Source: National Medal of Honor Museum

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