1st Lt. Austin K. Neely
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) 5th Air Force (5th AF)
475th Fighter Group (475th FG), 433nd Fighter Squadron (433nd FS)
P-38 Lightning Pilot

Background
Austin Kline Neely, Jr. was born July 21, 1917 to parents Austin Kline Neely and Floye E. Busey Neely in Texarkana, TX. Known as "Sonny" to his family. He attended Texas High School. Prewar, he was employed at International Harvester Company in Texarkana as an office clerk.

Wartime History
On November 4, 1941 Neely enlisted in the U.S. Army with serial number 38046120. During April 1942, he became an aviation cadet in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) and underwent nine weeks at Marana Basic Flying School in Tuscon, AZ. Next, advanced pilot training, class 43-D at Williams Field in Mesa, Arizona. Neely earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-743484 then sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 475th Fighter Group (475th FG), 433rd Fighter Squadron (433rd FS) as a fighter pilot flying the P-38 Lightning.

On December 18, 1943 took off piloting P-38 Lightning on a fighter sweep over Arawe. Over the target area, the formation spotted an enemy fighter and flew to intercept. Accidentally, Neely collided with P-38H "Regina Coeli" 42-66856 pilot 1st Lt William G. Jeakle damaging the tail and caused it to crash. Neely's plane sustained propeller and wing damage but landed safely at Dobodura. Afterwards, he was treated for shock and regret for causing the accident. On December 28, 1943 pilot 1st Lt William G. Jeakle returned to the squadron safely. Nobody was happier that distraught Neely who caused him to crash.

On April 16, 1944 took off piloting P-38J Lightning 42-104385 on a mission to escort A-20 Havocs over Hollandia. Returning the formation encountered a severe weather front. This P-38 was last seen approximately five miles west of Bogadjim at an altitude of roughly 10,000-11,000'. This aircraft failed to return and was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). This mission was dubbed "Black Sunday" due to the number of aircraft lost.

Memorials
Neely was officially declared dead on February 7, 1946. He earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, posthumously. Neely is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. He also has a memorial marker at Rose Hill Cemetery in Texarkana, TX at Block-A, Section 4, Lot 58-W.

Relatives
Terry L. Davis adds:
"My father had two cousins, both of whom died in the PTO. One is Lt. Austin Kline Neely, P-38 pilot, lost near Bogadjim, New Guinea."

Betty McCain adds:
"Austin and my mom [Frances Sleighsinger Dolph] were dating. I found [photographs of Neely] in an old album of hers."

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Austin K. Neely
News Marana Basic Flying School, Tuscon, Ariz. Aviation Cadet Austin K. Neely
Missing Air Crew Report 4502 (MACR 4502)
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-38J Lightning 42-104385
Black Sunday (2000) page 99
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Austin K. Neely
FindAGrave - 1Lt Austin Kline Neely (memorial photo)
Thanks to Terry L. Davis and Betty McCain for additional information

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