Major Richard I. Bong
U.S. Army Air Force, 5th Air Force, 49th Fighter Group, 9th Fighter Squadron and 5th Fighter Command (V Fighter Command)
Aircraft flown and assigned

Aircraft flown by Bong
Bong flew many different P-38 Lightnings during three tours of duty in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) during World War II. Only some of the specific P-38s are known when he claimed aerial victories and when the serial number was recorded in combat reports.
P-38F 42-12624  piloted by Bong December 31, 1942 and January 7, 1943 when he claimed aerial victories.
P-38F "Thumper" 42-12644  piloted by Bong December 27, 1942 when he claimed his first two aerial victories.
P-38F 42-12653  piloted by Bong January 8, 1943 when he claimed an aerial victory.
P-38J "Marge" 42-103993  piloted by Bong February 15, 1944, March 3, 1944 and March 5, 1944 when he claimed victories.
P-38J "Down Beat" 42-104012  piloted by Bong April 12, 1944
P-38J 44-23552  possibly flown by Bong in late September 1944 on non-combat missions.
P-80A Shooting Star 44-85048  piloted by Bong August 6, 1945 fatal crash.

Aircraft assigned and flown to Bong
Bong was assigned at least four different P-38 Lightnings. Several were nicknamed "Marge" for his girlfriend.
P-38H 42-6????  (Nose 79) damaged September 6, 1943 ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped.
P-38H 42-66847  (Nose 79) assigned to Bong in 9th Fighter Squadron ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped.
P-38J "Marge" 42-103993  assigned to Bong in 5th Fighter Command. On March 22, 1944 pilot Malone bailed out and crashed.
P-38J "Marge" 42-104380  (Second Marge) assigned to Bong in 5th Fighter Command. During 1945 crashed Manila Bay.
P-38J "Marge" 44-23491  (Third Marge) assigned to Bong in the United States on war bond tour in the markings of 42-103993.
P-38L 44-23964  assigned to Bong and flown in combat Oct 1944–Nov 1944. On November 28, 1944 pilot Davis MIA off Tacloban.

Aircraft photographed with Bong
Bong was photographed with the following aircraft.
P-38J 44-23461  painted with Bong's scoreboard, Bong photographed with this aircraft.
P-38J Number 42  possibly flow by Bong during September 1944–October 1944.
P-38J Number 83  assigned to Johnson Bong photographed with parked plane.
P-38L 44-23956  Bong photographed at Lockheed at Burbank Airport.
P-38L 44-23982  Bong and Marge photographed together at Burbank Airport.

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?