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Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 422-4495. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38J-20-LO Lightning serial number 44-23491. During May 1944, assigned to Major Richard I. Bong 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 visited Truax Field, Wisconsin 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. References 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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