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

Background
Austin Kline Neely, Jr. was born July 21, 1917 to parents Austin Kline Neely and Floye E. (nee 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) "Satan's Angels", 433rd Fighter Squadron (433rd FS) "Possum" 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.
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Mission History
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.

Wreckage
In 1949, villagers led a representative from Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) to a crash site of a P-38J Lightning and remains were recovered then turned over to American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) but were unable to be identified and were designated Unknown (X-File) X-5261 and stored at Manila Mausoleum.

where a set of remains were recovered, along with wreckage of a P-38J. The remains were turned over to investigators from the American Graves Registration Service. However, attempts to associate the remains with any of the crew members were unsuccessful. They were declared unidentifiable and buried as Unknown X- 5261 in Manila Mausoleum at Manila American Cemetery. Later, buried as an unknown at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl).

During 2008, a team from Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) found a .50 caliber machine gun with one digit off from those listed in the Missing Air Crew Report 4502 (MACR 4502) and presumed to be associated with this crash site. In 2017, the crash site was again investigated and a disinterment memo was created recommending X-5261 be disinterred for DNA testing. On July 2023 the disinterment was approved. During January 2024 the unknown burial was exhumed and accessioned in the DPPA laboratory for analysis and used dental, anthropological analysis and circumstantial evidence. The remains were tested for mDNA and Y-chromosome DNA analysis. On December 1, 2025 Neely was accounted for by the Department of Defense (DoD).

Memorials
Neely was officially declared dead on February 7, 1946. He earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and 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.

Memorials
Neely died in the crash on April 16, 1944. He 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. After he was identified, a rosette was added next to his name. He also has a memorial marker at Rose Hill Cemetery in Texarkana, TX at Block-A, Section 4, Lot 58-W in the family plot.

On April 16, 2026 Neely was buried with full military honors at Houston National Cemetery at section Y1, site 183.

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 (photos, tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - 1LT Austin Kline Neely (photos, Houston National Cemetery)
Thanks to Terry L. Davis and Betty McCain for additional information

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