Neel Ernest Kearby | |
|---|---|
 Colonel Neel E. Kearby, c. 1943 | |
| Born | June 5, 1911 Wichita Falls, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | March 5, 1944 (aged 32) Wewak, Territory of New Guinea |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army Air Corps United States Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1937–1944 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | 348th Fighter Group |
| Commands | 14th Pursuit Squadron 348th Fighter Group |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Silver Star (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (4) Purple Heart Air Medal (5) |
| Relations | Virginia Kearby (wife) |
Neel Ernest Kearby (June 5, 1911 – March 5, 1944) was a United States Army Air Forces colonel and P-47 Thunderbolt pilot in World War II who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in combat. Kearby is the first United States Army Air Forces fighter pilot to have received the Medal of Honor. He scored 22 aerial victories and was the top-scoring P-47 pilot in the Pacific Theater.