Hey, some of my very BEST kills are proximity kills gained without ever firing a shot.

It just happens. You see a distant fight, head over there. There are far off explosions and you don't know who killed what. As you arrive the fight is breaking up and one guy is in a vertical dive trailing smoke. Suddenly you're alone where the action was hot just moments before. The death-diver hits the ground.. you are the closest enemy plane... kill awarded.
Just happens. I don't ponder it much. I'm sure others get the same thing.
BTW, just noticed you are in KC. Haven't met you under that handel that I know of. A few of us get together now and then for lunch... if you're interested, we're in the planning stages for the next one right now.
Cya up there.