Major Richard I. Bong
U.S. Army Air Force, 5th Air Force, 49th Fighter Group, 9th Fighter Squadron and 5th Fighter Command
P-38 Lightning Pilot and Highest Scoring American Ace

Background
Richard Ira Bong was born September 24, 1920 to parents Carl T. Bong and Dora May Bryce Bong as the eldest of nine children in Poplar, Wisconsin. Nicknamed "Dick". His father was an immigrant from Sweden and his mother an American of Scotch-English descent and their children grew up on the family farm and attended Betheny Lutheran Church in Poplar. In 1934, he entered Poplar High School for three years then transfered to Central High School in Superior for his senior year and graduated with the class of 1938 then entered Superior State Teachers College (today University of Wisconsin–Superior) for two and a half years. As a college student, he took flying lessons under the Civil Aeronautics Authority (CAA) Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP). By March 31, 1941 he logged 36 hours of flying time.


Enlistment and Flight Training
May 1941–September 1942: Bong enlists and flight training in the United States, commissioning and flying the P-38 Lightning.

Overseas to Australia
September 1942–November 1942: Bong is sent overseas and further training in Australia.

First Tour of Duty
November 1942–November 1943: Bong's first tour of duty, credited with a total of 21 victories and became one of the top aces of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF).

First Leave in the United States
December 1943–February 1944: Bong's sixty day leave meets Marjorie "Marge" Vattendahl and does public relations.

Second Tour of Duty
February 1944–May 1944: Bong's second tour of duty, credited with a total of 28 victories exceeds the record of WWI ace Rickenbacker.

Second Leave in the United States
May 1944–September 1944: Bong's return to the United States for public relations and was an instructor at aerial gunnery school.

Third Tour of Duty
September 1944–December 1944: Bong's third tour of duty credited with a total of 40 victories and was America's highest scoring ace.

Service in the United States
December 1944–August 1945 Return to the United States, got marriage to Marge and began flight testing the P-80 Shooting Star jet.

Fate
On August 6, 1945 took off piloting P-80A Shooting Star 44-85048 on an acceptance flight. Shortly after take off suffered a fuel pump malfunction and Bong bailed out but was too low and his parachute failed to open before he hit the ground and was killed on impact. His plane crashed at into a narrow field at Oxnard Street and Satsuma Avenue in North Hollywood, California. After the crash, his remains were recovered.

Recovery of Remains
On August 8, 1945 Bong's flag draped casket was loaded aboard C-54E Skymaster 44-9042 and escorted by his widow, Marjorie "Marge" Bong, her friend C. Clarence Toy and military escort Colonel Kenneth McGregor on a flight from California to Richard I. Bong Airport in Superior, Wisconsin. On arrival, the plane was met by a military honor guard.

Memorials
Bong's funeral service was held at Corcordia Lutheran Church where he was married only six months earlier with crowds of mourners.

Bong is buried at Poplar Cemetery in Poplar, WI at block 8, lot 10, grave 2 with a grave marker and military marker.

The Richard I. Bong Memorial Airport in Superior, WI 54880 was named in his honor in January 1945 and remains in use today.

Wisconsin State Historical Marker 64 in Poplar, WI erected in 1957 is dedicated to Major "Dick" Bong.

In the middle 1950s, a new U.S. Air Force (USAF) base to be constructed to the south of Milwaukee, WI was to be named Richard I. Bong Air Force Base (Richard I. Bong AFB) but was never completed. Instead, the site became the Richard Bong State Recreation Area.

The portion of Route 2 in Poplar, Wisconsin is named the "Major Richard I. Bong Memorial Highway" in Bong's honor.

The American Legion Post #435 in Superior, Wisconsin is named the American Legion Richard I. Bong Post 435.

During 1986, Bong was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (USAF Museum).

During May 1992 on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea a bridge in Townsville on MacArthur Drive was dedicated as "The Major Richard I. Bong Bridge" with a memorial plaque on a stone marker near the bridge.

The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center (Bong Center) honors the memory of Major Bong and displays P-38L Lightning 44-53236 painted in the markings of P-38J "Marge".

The P-38L Lightning 44-27231 was painted as "Marge" until 2007 when repainted.

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (USAF Museum) has Bong Street named in his honor and an exhibit "America's Top Two Aces" includes Bong's officer's cap and uniform, M1911 pistol, golf club, clarinet purchased in Australia and flight jacket and boots donated by his father, Carl T. Bong.

The EAA AirVenture Museum (EAA Museum) has P-38L Lightning 44-53087 painted in the markings of P-38J "Marge" 42-103993 assigned to Captain Richard I. Bong in New Guinea.

Awards
For his World War II service, Bong earned the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for his actions July 26, 1943, Silver Star for his actions December 27, 1942 with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) with one silver Oak Leaf Cluster and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with two Silver Oak Leaf Clusters and four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and Philippine Liberation Medal. Bong's squadrons earned the Army Presidential Unit Citation w/ one bronze oak leaf cluster and Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

Relatives
Carl T. Bong (father passed away February 5, 1973)
Dora May Bryce Bong (mother passed away April 30, 1959)
Marjorie "Marge" Ann Vattendahl Drucker (widow passed away September 27, 2003)
Betty Jane Bong (sister passed away March 25, 1939)
Nelda Charlene Bong Peterson (sister passed away 1983)
Carl "Bud" M, Bong (brother passed away June 19, 2014)
Dorothy Joyce Bong Erickson (sister passed away September 11, 2015)
Sue Carol Bong (sister passed away October 8, 2010)
Geraldine "Gerry" M. Bong Fechtelkotter (sister passed away September 20, 2024)
James "Jim" C. Bong (brother passed away January 1, 2014)
James "Jim" Bong (nephew) USAF Lt. Col. (retired)

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Richard I. Bong
Activation And History of 17th Fighter Squadron (Provisional) P-38 Type Aircraft page 1 via Air Force Historical Research Agency
(Page 1) "14 Oct 42 - 17th Fighter Squadron [Provisional] ordered activated this date... The following officers were assigned to the squadron: 2nd Lts... Bong"
14 Nov - Capt Manning led another 8-ship [P-38] flight to Port Moresby. The pilots accomanying him were... 2nd Lts... Bong"
Major Richard I. Bong Aerial Victory Claims
Aircraft flown and assigned to Bong
9th Fighter Squadron pilot roster October 1942–August 1944 via Air Force Historical Research Agency
USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: Bong, Richard I. pages 25 (PDF page 30) Chronological List: 02/15/44 page 418 (PDF page 423), 03/03/44 page 421 (PDF page 426), 04/03/44 page 428 (PDF page 433) 04/12/44 page 430 (PDF page 435), 11/10/44 page 478 (PDF page 483)
Individual Flight Record (Logbook) - Richard I. Bong (amended and corrected 2001)
Missing Air Crew Report 15081 (MACR 15081) created July 12, 1943 page 8 (statement by 1st Lt. Richard I. Bong)
The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld) "Lightning Kills 'Gator" June 10, 1943 page 3
"NEW GUINEA, Wednesday — A United States fighter pilot has become the foundation member of the Alligator Club. With cannon fire from his Lightning [he] killed a giant alligator trailing a rubber boat containing three pilots on a rescue mission. The pilot is First Lieutenant Richard Bong, who has shot down 10 enemy aircraft in the South-west Pacific. A pilot from Bong's unit was reported lost in the jungle, and the Piper Cub (trainer plane) pilot who located him radioed that he could best be reached by boat across a lake. Three pilots of the unit inflated a small collapsible boat and set out to rescue their comrade. They reported later that they had seen 'a huge log' floating towards them from the edge of the lake. One thought it was a native canoe. The pilot of the Cub spotted the reptile and radioed to circling Lightnings for a strafing job. Skimming across the surface of the lake, Bong sent a 20 M.M. cannon burst into the alligator. The missing airman was rescued by another group of Americans."
Combat Report Captain Watkins July 28, 1943
The Evening Advocate (Innisfail, Qld) "U.S. Pilot Shoots Up Crocodile from Air" June 22, 1943 page 2
"NEW GUINEA. — First-Lieutenant Richard Bong, a U.S. .fighter pilot, who has shot down 10 enemy aircraft in the Southwest Pacific, has become the foundation member of the Crocodile Club. With cannon fire from his Lightning fighter, he strafed and killed a crocodile which was trailing a frail rubber boat which contained three pilots who were bound on a rescue mission. Previously a pilot from Lieutenant Bong's unit was reported lost in the jungle, and the pilot who located him radioed that he could best be reached by boat across a lake, as it would take hours to reach the spot through the jungle. Three pilots of the unit inflated a small collapsible boat and set out to rescue their comrade. They saw what they took to be a huge log floating towards them from the edge of the lake, but paid it no attention. The pilot who had started the rescue party saw the crocodile and radioed warnings to circling Lightnings. Lieutenant Bong skimmed across the surface of the lake, and with a short burst from his 20 mm. cannon destroyed the crocodile."
The Ithaca Journal "Cornell Flier Who Downed 8 Zeros Coming Home for Rest" December 7, 1943 page 5
"Capt. John G. O'Neill, the P-38 pilot who flew wing to wing with this theater's greatest ace, is going home for a rest. "Jump," as O'Neill is known by his pals in New Guinea and Australia has a nifty little string of eight Zeros to his credit, four of them in three days. Most of his flying was done in element with Capt. Richard I. Bong, Poplar, Wis., who with 21 enemy planes is the ranking Army fighter pilot of this theater..."
Cosmopolitan "'Bing Bang' Bong and the Humpty Doos" by Bob Eunson June 1944 Vol 116 No. 6 page 60-63
AWM SWPA News (AWM F00446) 03:06–03:47 "Bong, 40 plane ace gets highest awards"
Monroe Evening Times "Military Pals Will Be Aids at Bong Wedding" February 8, 1945 page 6
"Superior - (UP) - An Army Air Force officer who flew many missions with Richard I. Bong in the Southwest Pacific, will be Bong's best man when the nation's leading ace is married here Saturday to Marjorie Vattendahl. He is Capt. Walter M. Markey, of City Island, N.Y., who now is with the First Air Force at Hills Grove, R.I. Capt. Markey and Major Bong served together from May 1942 to November 1943 in New Guinea area. Markey shot down four Japanese planes."
The Journal Times "Bong Chooses Pacific Buddy For Best Man" February 8, 1945 page 8
The Oshkosh Northwestern "Wedding Bells To Ring Tomorrow For Bong and Fiancee" February 9, 1945 page 8
The La Crosse Tribune "Bong's Best Man Is Flying Pal" February 9, 1945 page 3
Wisconsin State Journal "1,300 Expected to Witness Bong Wedding Saturday" February 9, 1945 page 8
"Superior - (UP) - The ace of the American air forces, Maj. Richard Ira Bong, 24, today named a service buddy, Capt. Walter M. Markey City Island, N.Y. as his best man for the wedding which will culminate Wisconsin's number one romance here Feb. 10... Bong and Markey met in May 1942, and went to the South Pacific together. They flew many missions against the Jap air force together until Bong returned home on leave in November, 1943, after shooting down 27 enemy aircraft, one more than World War I record of Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker. The two did not fly together again, however when Bong went back to the Pacific and boosted his bag to 40 Jap planes to set the present AAF record. Markey is credit with downing four enemy aircraft. Now stationed at Hillsgrove, R.I., he has shifted from the P-38 Lightnings he flew in the Pacific to a P-47."
Star Tribune "Nation's Good Wishes Go to Alter With Top Ace and His Marge Today" February 10, 1945 page 6
"Superior, WIS (UP) - Major Richard Ira Bong, the Wisconsin farm boy who became America's leading ace by shooting down 40 Japanese planes, was self-possessed by 'just a trifle' nervous Friday night on the eve of his wedding with Marjorie Ann Vattendahl, 21. 'I guess tomorrow is the day to get excited,' he said Friday afternoon when the wedding rehearsal at Concordia Lutheran church was postponed because of of the attendants had been delayed... The best man, Capt. Walter M. Markey, Jr., City Island, N.Y. was on hand to lend moral support and wold be on hand again tonight when the rehearsal was to be held. At the last minute, as at so many weddings, the plans were changed, the time being set up at 7 p.m. today instead of 8 p.m. because the bride and groom are to appear on a national [radio] broadcast at 8 o'clock."
Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) Richard I. Bong
FindAGrave - Richard Ira Bong (photos, grave photos)
FindAGrave - Marjorie Ann Vattendahl Drucker (photos, grave photo)
Air Force Historical Support Division Fact Sheet: Bong -- Maj Richard Ira Bong (photo)
Hall of Valor Project - Richard Ira Bong (MOH citation, DSC citation, Silver Star citation, Silver Star OLC citation, DFC citation, DFC OLC citation, DFC second OLC citation, DFC third OLC citation, DFC forth OLC citation, DFC sixth OLC citation, DFC seventh OLC citation)
The Historical Marker Database - Major "Dick" Bong "America's Ace of Aces" (photos)
Oz@War - Richard Ira Bong Ace of Aces (photos, The Major Richard I. Bong Bridge)
General Kenney Reports: A Personal History of the Pacific War (1949) by General George C. Kenney pages 6 (Bong meets Kenney), 12 (Kenney assigns Bong to SWPA), 73 (Bong arrival Brisbane, "bad boy from San Francisco"), 125-126, 164, 171-172 (December 27, 1942), 177 (January 8, 1943), 318-319 (November 2, 1943), 345 (Bong 19 victories), 346 (aces Bong, Kearby, Lynch), 362-363 (February 28, 1944), 364-365 (March 9, 1944 sic March 8, 1944), 387 (April 12, 1944), 393-394 (April 12, 1944 Oscar confirm 28th victory), 435-436 (Bong Third Tour), 439-441 (October 10, 1944), 468-470 (Bong-McGuire, October 28, 1944), 470 (Kenney-Arnond wires about Bong), 471-472 (Bong-McGuire), 475 (November 10, 1944), 476 (November 11, 1944), 488 (November 10, 1944), 489 (November 11, 1944), 489-490 (Bong Medal of Honor), 494-496 (December 15, 1945, 39th victory), 498, 503 (Bong returns USA), 569 (August 6, 1945), 571 (5th AF aces), 581 (index Bong)
Dick Bong (1960, 1980) by General George C. Kenney biography of Richard I. Bong pages 20-22 (Meets Rickenbacker, Kenney promises a case of scotch), 23 (December 27, 1942)
Aces of the Southwest Pacific (1977) page 19 (Bong)
Ace of Aces The Dick Bong Story (1985, 2019) by Mike O'Conner and Carl Bong biography of Richard I. Bong
Yeager: An Autobiography (1986) by Chuck Yeager pages 227-228 (Bong), 425 (index Bong, Dick)
49th Fighter Group (1989) by Ernest R. McDowell page 58 (Bong)
Dear Mom: So We Have A War (1991) by Carl Bong (brother) biography of Richard I. Bong pages 335-336 (Letter March 13, 1944)
Protect and Avenge (1995) pages 92, 97, 101 (December 27, 1942), 102 (December 31, 1942), 104, 108, 110-111, 117, 125-126 (March 11, 1943), 132-133, 138, 140, 164-165, 178, 188-191, 195-197, 207-208, 210-214 (last 9th FS), 232, 242 (photo), 245 (photo victory record), 268-271, 276-278, 289-292, 297, 299, 302 (Bong Medal of Honor)
Stars & Bars: A Tribute To The American Fighter Ace 1920–1973 (1995) pages 36 (9th FS, 49th FG), 154-155 (Bong)
Memories: The Story of Dick and Marge Bong: A Love Story (1995) by Marge Bong Drucker
Introduction to the United States Air Force (2001) page 39 (Bong)
The Missions and P-38 Lightnings of Richard I. Bong: A Synopsis (2002) details Richard I. Bong missions and P-38s
Los Angeles Times "Marjorie Drucker, 79; Wife of World War II Ace Richard Bong" October 10, 2003
Possum, Clover & Hades 475th Fighter Group in World War II (2004) pages 121 (February 1944), 136-137, 211 (ace race), 213 (Tacloban), 225 (ace race), 226-227 (December 7, 1944), 228 (December 17, 1944), 230 (photo Bong and McGuire propeller), 231 (photo Bong and McGuire tent), 232 (photo Bong Wheel Inn Dulag), 332 (index Bong)
49th Fighter Group Aces of the Pacific (2004) inside cover (July 28, 1943 mission)
Eddie Rickenbacker: An American Hero in the Twentieth Century (2005) pages 498, 496, 497, 632 (footnote), 655 (footnote), 657 (footnote)
MacArthur's Eagles (2005) pages 125-126 (March 5, 1944), 129-130 (March 8, 1944), 219 (Bong freelancer), 220 (April 3, 1944), 236-239 (April 12, 1944), 290-291 (JAAF losses, March 3, 1944), 296 (JAAF losses, April 12, 1944), 342 (index Kearby), 343 (index Lynch), 339 (index Bong)
Aces High: The Heroic Saga of the Two Top-scoring American Aces of World War II (2009) pages 121-122
The 421st Night Fighter Squadron in World War II (2010) by Jeff Kolln pages 29-30 (Bong March 13-17, 1944 missions with 421st NFS), 30 (loss of P-38 "Marge")
Flying Circus Fighter Sweep at Tadji Drome by Jack Fellows
Victory Over Tanamerah by Jack Fellows
P-38 Lightning Aces 1942-43 (2014) pages 30 (Jan 8, 1943), 37 (June 12, 1943), 38, 41, 45, 47 (photo, Oct 29, 1943), 48-49 (Nov 5, 1943), 91 (P-38 aces SWPA), 93, 94 (profile 20 description)
Forward In Flight "Richard Bong 70th Anniversary Medal of Honor" Volume 12, Issue 2 Summer 2014 cover, pages 1 (cover caption), 9, 22-24 (Veteran’s Historical Research Center Expands), 25-26 (WAHF Bong)
Forward In Flight "Richard Bong Inspired by Hap Arnold's plane" Volume 17, Issue 1 Spring 2019 by John Dodds pages 14-17
Ken’s Men Against The Empire Volume II (2019) pages 31-34, 32 (photo Rabaul 11/5/43)
Harvest of the Grim Reapers: The Illustrated History of the 3rd and 27th Bomb Groups During World War II Volume I: Prewar to December 1942 (2021) pages 437-438 (December 31, 1942)
Race of Aces: WWII's Elite Airmen and the Epic Battle to Become the Master of the Sky (2020) pages 4-9, 18, 20, 21-22, 26-27, 33, 89-91, 103-111, 114-116, 117, 121, 123, 126, 130, 157, 175, 195-197, 198-199, 217-218, 227-231, 282 (footnote), 267-268, 271-272, 279-280, 281-282, 433-434, 168-169, 211, 227, 233-234, 266, 270, 303, 309, 314 (Flying Circus), 316-317 (foodnote), 324, 335, 343, 347-348, 401-403, 409, 417-424, 429-436, 440-443, 443-444, 470-472, 478-479, 508 (index Bong, Marge / Bong, Richard I.)
335
Badger Aces: Wisconsin Fighter 1917-1972 (2022) by Mike O'Conner pages 128-141 (Chapter 6: World War II USAAF Aces, Pacific Theater - Richard I. Bong), 277 (Appendix A Wisconsin Aces Fact Sheet), 278 (Appendix B: Wisconsin Aces by Location), 280 (Appendix C: Wisconsin Aces by Score), 282 (Appendix D: Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame), 290 (references Ace of Aces), 294 (index Bong, Richard I. and Vattendahl, Marge)
South Pacific Air War: The Role of Airpower in the New Guinea and Solomon Island Campaigns, January 1943 to February 1944 (2024) by Richard Dunn pages 18 (December 27, 1942), 113, 114, 121, 131 (temporary duty with 39th FS), 178, 193, 234, 241-242, 244, 308-309, 312, 347, 414, 422, 441, 454, 459, 501, 585 (index Bong)
Thanks to Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center curator of collections and exhibits Briana Fiandt for additional information

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