A Japanese Pilot Got Help from a US Pilot
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Neel Kearby, in command of his P-47 Thunderbolt, known as the "Fiery Ginger IV", was on the brink of shattering the record for most victories. Despite many dismissing the Thunderbolt as inferior to the agile Japanese aircraft, Kearby and his comrade Bill Dunham skillfully harnessed its formidable diving capability and heavy firepower, proving it to be a lethal weapon.
With the P-38s and P-51s being phased out, Kearby understood that surpassing a 26-victory record could result in enough media attention to secure the P-47's relevance until the end of the war.
Witnessing Kearby's tragic demise, Bill Dunham later demonstrated an exceptional act of gallantry within the harsh environment of the Pacific Theater.
Our primary references for this information are John Stanaway's superb book, Mustang and Thunderbolt Aces of the Pacific and CBI