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 USAAF August 8, 1945 |
Location Lat 46° 41' 23N Long 92° 5' 41W Richard I. Bong Airport is located at an elevation of 674' above sea level in Superior, Wisconsin in the Midwestern Region of the United States of America (USA). Previously known as Bryn Ostby Airport or Superior Airport. Still in use today as Richard I. Bong Memorial Airport or Richard I. Bong Airport. Construction Built prewar as a civil airport. Wartime History During 1941, named Bryn Ostby Airport by the Superior city council for in honor of former Mayor Bryn Ostby in recognition of his leadership. On January 18, 1945 former Superior mayor suggested the airport be renamed Richard I. Bong Airport in honor of Major Richard I. Bong from Poplar, WI who became America's highest scoring ace of World War II but was killed piloting P-80A Shooting Star on August 6, 1945. On August 8, 1945 Bong's casket escorted by his widow, Marjorie "Marge" Bong and her friend C. Clarence Toy with military escort Colonel Kenneth McGregor were flown from California aboard C-54E Skymaster 44-9042 and landed at Richard I. Bong Airport in Superior, Wisconsin. On arrival, the plane was met by a military honor guard for a funeral then burial in his hometown of Poplar, Wisconsin. Today Still in use today as Richard I. Bong Airport with two runways. The first is oriented 21/03 measures 5,100' x 75' surfaced with asphalt. The second runway is oriented 31/13 measures 4,000' x 75' surfaced with asphalt. Airport code: FAA: SUW IATA: SUW. References The Rhinelander Daily News "Bong Airport" January 19, 1945 page 4 "(Superior Telegram) Thanks to former Mayor Bryn Ostby, Superior has now conferred a most fitting honor upon Major Richard I. Bong by naming the city's airport for America's Ace of Aces. Since the close of Mr. Ostby's administration in 1941, the municipal site has been known as the Bryn Ostby Airport, that name having been given by the city council as recognition for Mr. Ostby's leadership in improving the port. Yesterday, Mr. Ostby announced he would ask the city council to change the name..." City of Superior - Richard I. Bong Memorial Airport official webpage Contribute
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