Posted on Jun 12, 2023

This Day in History: Neel Kearby, WWII Ace

MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D.

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This Day in History: Neel Kearby, WWII Ace

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WWII World War Two South Pacific 5th AF 947d0b5b

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Medal of Honor

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MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D.

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ILLUSTRATIONS: (1) Col. Neal Keerby downs a Ki-43 Oscar with his 348th FG P-47D "Fiery Ginger" over New Guinea, fall 1943. (2) Col. Neal Keerby downs an Oscar over Wewak with his 348th FG P-47D, summer 1943. (3) Col. Neal Keerby downs a Ki-61 over New Guinea--one of six fighters he downed that day, earning the Medal of Honor. (4) Col. Neal Keerby downs an Oscar with his 348th FG P-47D shortly before himself being shot down over New Guinea. (5) V FC staff officer Col. Neal Keerby's last P-47D, "Fiery Ginger IV," based at Port Moresby, New Guinea, early 1944.

LTC Orlando Illi SPC Chris Hallgrimson MSG Darold R. CSM Bruce Trego SPC Terry Page CH (LTC) Robert Leroe SSG Samuel Kermon PO1 Dee Lee 1LT Ernest Chamblee LCpl Larry Warren MAJ William Smith Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis 1SG Russell Scott LTC Joe Anderson (Taz or Joe Retired Now in Contract Compliance) LTC Dave Leppanen CSM Darieus ZaGara COL Tim Whalen 1SG Dan Capri LTC John Griscom SPC Bill Bailey

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Sgt John H.

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beautiful art work!

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LTC Trent Klug

>1 y

MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. Can you imagine being a Japanese pilot and seeing this weapon diving at you, more than likely closing with you at near 600 mph? I imagine pilots surviving a contact with Neerby and other P47s had to change their underwear.

This pilot, this man, was only interested in taking the fight to the enemy. Such tenacity and instinct should be celebrated, not mourned.

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