On National Medal of Honor Day, city officials and the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation are inviting folks to come out and honor a local World War II flying ace and Medal of Honor recipient, Colonel Neel E. Kearby. The hero, who called Arlington home, will be celebrated with a special ceremony, announced to take place on March 25 at 10 a.m., at the City Center Plaza, according to the City of Arlington, Texas.
The event, recognizing Kearby's bravery and sacrifice in World War II, is expected to draw a large crowd of residents and military enthusiasts. The battle-hardened pilot, who scored 22 aerial victories, cemented his legacy in the skies over New Guinea by downing six enemy aircraft and saving his wingman — all this, after running low on fuel and completing his assigned mission. With Arlington as his backdrop, the ceremony will not just honor Kearby's valor, but also his deep connections to the community, as a graduate of both Arlington High School and the University of Texas at Arlington.
The valorous Kearby, though reassigned to administrative duties after his Medal of Honor action, found administrative work unable to contain his combat spirit. He continued to attend aerial missions whenever the opportunity presented itself, leading to his final, fateful flight on March 5, 1944. After attacking a Japanese formation, he was hit by machine-gun fire, leading to a crash that would end his life. Kearby's remains and his aircraft were later recovered and buried with full military honors in a Dallas cemetery after the war.
A lasting monument to Kearby's memory was established by Arlington in 2010 with a memorial statue and Texas State Historical Marker. Both reside in the City of Arlington's World War II Memorial, adding gravitas to the plaza space frequented by visitors and residents alike. These markers stand as permanent fixtures, evocative of the heroism inherent in the legacy of those like Kearby, who fought and bled for the freedoms we enjoy.
The upcoming National Medal of Honor Museum, set to open in 2025 in Arlington, is touted to be a hub for interactive historical exploration, aiming to inspire visitors by preserving and sharing the stories of Medal of Honor recipients. In addition to the museum, the National Medal of Honor Monument Act, legislated into law in 2021, will result in a Washington, D.C. monument dedicated to the valorous actions of Medal of Honor service members.
This ceremony is more than a local event; it's part of a larger initiative to bring the values associated with the Medal of Honor into educational and community settings nationwide. The hope is to inspire individuals to see the extraordinary potential within themselves — a fitting tribute to Kearby and the numerous others who demonstrated extraordinary courage under fire.
