Neel E. Kearby
1911–1944 (age 33)
Fighter Pilot
Biography
Neel E. Kearby rose from humble beginnings in 1911 to become one of the U.S. Army Air Forces' most daring fighter pilots. His unflinching courage in the skies over the Pacific, coupled with his skill in leading airmen through countless missions, earned him the admiration of his comrades and the nation he served.
Though he fell in combat in 1944, the legacy of his leadership and fighting spirit continues to inspire; his memory is honored at Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery, where friends and fellow veterans remember how his determination steadied the resolve of those around him.