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Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 422-4495. On May 30, 1944 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38J-20-LO Lightning serial number 44-23491. Project number 90745-R. On May 31, 1944 flown to Kingman Field. On June 1, 1944 flown to Amarillo, Texas. On June 2, 1944 flown to Nashville, TN. On June 3, 1944 flown to Bolling Field in Washington, D.C. and was assigned to Major Richard I. Bong as a substitute for P-38J Lightning 44-23488 for his use in the United States on a fifteen state war bond tour. Painted in the markings similar to P-38J "Marge" 42-103993 (first Marge) that he flew at the start of his second tour of duty in New Guinea. The left gun cover had a 20" x 24" photograph of his girlfriend Marjorie "Marge" Ann Vattendahl yearbook portrait enlarged and color tinted then glued and varnished to the panel. Nicknamed "Marge" (third Marge) in block letters in a triangular shape, different from the first Marge. This P-38 was used by Bong on a fifteen state war bond tour in the United States. He landed at Truax Field, Wisconsin. On May 12, 1944 flown to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to visit Mrs. Rosemary Fullen Lynch the widow of his former flight leader and friend Lt. Col. Thomas J. Lynch. On June 14, 1944 flown to Allentown–Bethlehem Airport (Lehigh Valley International Airport) in Allentown, Pennsylvania to visit Lynch's mother. Possibly, this P-38 was used by Bong when he attended Aerial and Ground Gunnery School at at Foster Field in Matagorda, Texas as an aerial superiority instructor and attended the course himself to learn the latest air combat and gunnery tactics. By early September 1944, Bong returned to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) for his third tour of duty. This aircraft never left the United States and was presumably this plane was reassigned. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. On August 12, 1944 flown to Santa Rosa, CA. On August 18, 1944 flown to McChord Field. On August 25, 1944 flown to Medford Airfield and two days later returns to McChord Field. On October 20, 1944 flown to Lemoore Airfield and the same day flown to Santa Maria. During December 1944, flown to Gardner Army Airfield and scrapped. References Individual Aircraft Record Card (IARC) - P-38J Lightning 42-104380 via AFHRA microfilm reel ACR-100 "Date: 6-3 [June 3, 1944] / Remarks: This ap [airplane] del [delivered] to Bolling Fld [Bolling Field] for Major Bong to sub [substitute] for 23588 [P-38J 44-23588]." USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38J-20-LO Lightning 44-23491 "23491 flown by Richard Bong during his time stateside between his 2nd and 3rd combat tours (May to Sep 1944) and used to promote the sale of war bonds." The Morning Call "Meeting at Allentown–Bethlehem Airport – Major Richard I. Bong Here To See Mrs. William J. Lynch, Mother of Late Catasauqua Flier-Ace" June 14, 1944 page 4 Daily News "Mrs. Thomas Lynch greets Major Richard I. Bong" June 15, 1944 page 557 (photo) Memories: The Story of Dick and Bong: A Love Story (1995) by Bong Drucker pages 27 (third ) The Missions and P-38 Lightnings of Richard I. Bong: A Synopsis (2002) page 36A (lower photo) Contribute
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