Colonel Neel E. Kearby
Neel E. Kearby was born in Wichita Falls on June 5, 1911 to Dr. John Gallatin Kearby, Jr. and Bessie Lee (Stone) Kearby. He spent much of his childhood in Mineral Wells, but later moved to Arlington, graduating from Arlington High School in 1928 and beginning college at North Texas Agricultural College (now the University of Texas at Arlington). In 1937, Kearby received a business degree at the University of Texas at Austin and joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. He began flight training at Randolph Field in San Antonio, where he met his future wife, Virginia King Cochran.
Once commissioned, Kearby completed a series of assignments and in 1942 was selected to command the 348th Fighter Group, which trained in New England prior to combat assignment in the Pacific Theater. During that time, Kearby trained his unit to effectively deploy the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter plane. Although the Thunderbolt was known to be bulky and cumbersome, Kearby developed aggressive tactics that his pilots used with great success against the enemy. During a six-month period in 1943 and 1944, Kearby bravely led missions in his P-47 (named the Fiery Ginger, after his wife), accumulating 22 aerial victories, including the destruction of a then-record six enemy aircraft in a single mission on October 11, 1943. The events of that day earned Kearby the Medal
of Honor, the nation's highest award for valor. His final mission occurred on March 5, 1944, when he was killed in action near Wewak, New Guinea, after downing an enemy bomber. During his military career, Kearby also earned two Silver Stars, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, five Air Medals and the Purple Heart. His body was recovered after the war and buried at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Dallas on July 23, 1949.Erected 2009 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 15733.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Valor in Aerial Operations series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.
Location. 32° 44.131′ N, 97° 6.469′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Texas, in Tarrant County. It is in Central Arlington. Marker is on West Abram Street just west of South Center Street, on the left when traveling west. Facing S. Center Street, near city hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 S Center St, Arlington TX 76011, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Andrew Hayter (within shouting distance of this marker); City of Arlington (within shouting distance of this marker); The Interurban (within shouting distance of this marker); Arlington Post Office (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Baptist Church of Arlington (about 600 feet away); Arlington Texas & Pacific Depot and Platform (about 700 feet away); Arlington Texas & Pacific Railroad Train Depot (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Arlington Texas & Pacific Railroad Train Depot (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2021, by J Frye of Fort Worth, Texas. This page has been viewed 424 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 13, 2021, by J Frye of Fort Worth, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.