When a P-47 Pilot Aided a Japanese Aviator

Neel Kearby in his P-47 Thunderbolt the “Fiery Ginger IV” was close to beating the record for victories. Many considered the Thunderbolt inferior to the nimble Japanese planes. But in the hands of Kearby and his friend Bill Dunham , it’s excellent diving capability and heavy guns proved to be deadly.

The newer P-38s and P-51s were being replaced and Kearby knew, if he could beat a 26 victory record then the resulting press coverage could save his beloved P-47 to the end of the war.

Bill Dunham witnessed the downing of Kearby but went on to commit an incredible act of chivalry in the otherwise incredibly tough Pacific Theater.

Thanks to all our other patrons for helping us continue to make videos like this.

Red Barons: Joel Richard, Kevin Chiao, KP, Richard Gardner, Francis DiStefano, Wren Darkcloud, Chris Davis, Elijah Ecclesia, Omar Al Mousa, Sami Leskinen, Jordan, Alan Samanta, Chase Feola, Falcon02, Onyx, Holden Hathcock

Calico Jacks: DC, Nathan Dafoe, UBERDEATH, CodyHawk Caster, Farhod, Jim Kaspar, Charles, Ben Large, Zin Zinussan50, Ian Neville, Storm Heg, Alyssa, Mr Dinkelwinkel, Trish Short, Lewis, Jurrian Tromp, Benson Adams, Samuel Chew,Juusoz

We sourced most of this information from the excellent book, Mustang and Thunderbolt Aces of the Pacific and CBI by John Stanaway and also this article from War History Online

Please also consider following us:

[tenalasik]

Bill Dunham was my grandfather. This was so fun to watch. Thank you!!

[VERRATENMEMESANDCOD]

Now this is a epic story. Especially the part where Bill had to be physically restrainred because he wanted to save his friend. That was just wonderfull. It shows how much his friend meant for him

[adolfkitler]

Man gets me teary eyed thinking about how much those men cared for each other

[Robloxchat]

"he had to be physically restrained".
now that is a friend.

[MsFrostitute]

As someone of Japanese descent, with ancestors serving in many military factions, stories like this about americans having compassion despite knowing how brutal the Imperials were truly warms my heart. I wonder how things would've turned out if the Imperial military wasn't so brainwashed and arrogant from propaganda and their previous military successes.. more occurrences like this video might have been more frequent and many lives would've been spared on both sides

Regardless, it's moments like these that live on for generations; affecting us all today and teaching that mercy is an extremely beautiful choice, and even in a savage war, humanity still is present

[isharveerdhillon]

the dogfighting scenes still have my mind blown...cant help praising this channel

[MrrShadoww]

Are we just going to ignore the fact that every episode the animations get better and better?

[Johnnylemoni]

You either gonna cover every story in history or you gonna get an oscar

[RealBelisariusCawl]

That description of the Lord putting His hand on your shoulder and telling you “don’t do this” is POWERFUL.

[pnimsmk]

There's another story just like this. Takeo Tanimizu was a decorated Japanese ace with 32 kills who had rescued US pilot Capt. Harvey Carter after shooting his plane down. He swept in and gave Harvey his life preserver.

This story is less talked about for obvious reasons. You should do a video on this.

[jdauph]

Vid suggestion: The broken tail section that flew and landed itself-lancaster bomber

[hereLiesThisTroper]

Son: Dad, why is sis named Rose?
Dad: Because your mom loves roses.
Son: Thanks dad!
Dad: No problem, When a P-47 Pilot Aided a Japanese Aviator!

[jakebkelso]

me when yarnhub uploads : WOOOwoWOOOOWO




(Edit why did this get almost 450 likes?)

[mr.rogers]

I live 40 minutes from the US Air Force museum and seen Kirby's plane display many times. If you ever get a chance to go to Dayton Ohio and see this particular museum it is one of the most amazing places you can visit!

[twistedyogert]

Is it just me or is it more heroic if someone shows mercy to their enemies?

[fantasy]

4:45
"It was if the Lord put his hand on my shoulder and said Bill, don't do it."
I cried at that part

[mrs.waight]

Never lose human compassion 🙏. The downed pilot was no longer an emmediate threat. Can you imagine how humbled the pilot in the water felt. I'm sure he had a different understanding of humanity. Awesome story.

[aniruddhxiek]

I was seriously feeling bad when he said most of our viewers are not subscribers

Why guys
Please do support him
See how much soul and heart he puts in it

[grantcheney]

Every now and then, YouTube actually recommends something I might be interested in. This is one of those rare occasions. Thank you.

[stephenjackson]

The P-38 was older, not newer than the P-47. The top US ace of all time scored all of his victories in the P-38.