Major Richard I. Bong
Second Leave in the United States

In early May 1944, Bong was sent back to the United States, officially to meet General Henry H. Arnold and delivered a report from General George C. Kenney. On May 12, 1944 Bong traveled to Pittsburgh to meet Rosemary Lynch, the widow of Thomas J. Lynch to tell her how her husband died. Afterwards, he returned to Poplar to visit his family and girlfriend Marge.

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 3, 1944 at Bolling Field in Washington, D.C., Bong was assigned P-38J "Marge" 44-23491 (Third Marge) for use by Bong on a fifteen state war bond tour for him to fly in the United States. In early June 1944 took off from from Bolling Field on a four hour flight to Superior Airport.

On June 10, 1944 took off from Superior Airport piloted by Bong on a flight bound for Chicago to participate in a war bond drive. During the flight, he encountered bad weather and diverted to Madison. Returning, he buzzed Milwaukee including the Wisconsin Tower (606 Building) and according to the press account on The Milwaukee Journal "Major Richard Bong"June 11, 1944 his plane was "so close to buildings that some spectators thought he would hit them." Afterwards, he landed at Truax Airfield (Truax Army Airfield) where he was greeted by Major A. Bauer and autographed a dollar bill "short snorter" for Lt. Herbert Afromsky and was asked when he and his fiancee Marge Vattendahl would be married. Later that same day, Bong took off from Truax Airfield and flew back to Superior Airport then spent the remainder of the weekend at home in Poplar, Wisconsin.

On June 12, 1944 took off from Superior Airport piloted by Bong on a flight via Madison bound for Chicago to participate in another war bond drive.

On June 14, 1944 Bong flew P-38J "Marge" 44-23491 to Allentown–Bethlehem Airport (Lehigh Valley International Airport) in Allentown, Pennsylvania to visit Lynch's mother.

During July 1944 he attended Aerial and Ground Gunnery School 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. In early September 1944 Bong departed for the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).

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