Arlington to pay tribute to WWII hero for National Medal of Honor Day

Arlington hero honored on National Medal of Honor Day

The city of Arlington is observing National Medal of Honor Day by celebrating the life and legacy of a local World War II hero who brought down six enemy aircraft while saving his wingman's life. FOX 4's Hanna Battah shares his story.

ARLINGTON, Texas - The city of Arlington is celebrating one of the most decorated fighter pilots of World War II at a ceremony on Monday.

Col. Neel Kearby was the first United States Air Force pilot to receive the National Medal of Honor.

He was a graduate of Arlington High School and the University of Texas at Arlington.

Col. Kearby repeatedly put himself in danger to bring down enemy aircraft during the war.

He died after his plane was shot down in 1944.

Chris Cassidy, the president and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, spoke to FOX 4 about Kearby and the National Medal of Honor Museum coming to Arlington.

"This museum is going to be about the values," he said. "That’s what we’re gonna highlight. We’re going to highlight the people that demonstrate those values. Those people happen to be ordinary Arlington High School who did something extraordinary when the nation needed them and they stepped up and did it. Those are the stories we are going to focus on telling."

The museum is set to open in Arlington next year.