2nd Lt Richard I. Bong Aerial Victory No. 3
Zero [sic Type 1 Fighter Hayabusa / Ki-43-I Oscar], January 7, 1943
First Tour of Duty

Mission History
On January 7, 1943 pilot 2nd Lt. Richard I. Bong took off from 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) piloting P-38F Lightning 42-12624 as one of six P-38s led by Captain Thomas J. Lynch with 2nd Lt. Carl G. Planck, Jr. on a Combat Air Patrol (CAP) over Lae.

The P-38s engaged Japanese fighters defending a Japanese convoy unloading at Lae. During the air combat, at 1:15pm Bong claimed an Oscar shot down in flames over Huon Gulf. At 3:30pm Bong claimed a second Oscar over Huon Gulf. He also claimed a Oscar probable and a Oscar damaged. During the air combat, hit by a 20mm shell that exploded in his wing. Afterwards, lands at 14 Mile Drome after 4 hours 30 minutes airborne.

Claims
Bong was officially credited with two victories, his third and fourth aerial victories. He also claimed an Oscar probable and an Oscar damaged.

References
Major Richard I. Bong Aerial Victory Claims
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)
Individual Flight Record (Logbook) - Richard I. Bong, January 7, 1943
"1/7 / P-38 / Shot down Oscar in flames off Gasmata crashed in water. 5 Zeros probably shot down Oscar at Lai [sic Lae] 20mm exploded in [my] right wing. Top cover for Beaufighters and P-38s. Shot down Oscar in Lai Harbor [Lae, Huon Gulf] smoking crashed in water.
Individual Flight Record (Form 5) January 1943
Historical Record, 49th Fighter Group, Chapter 2 page 4
"While on a mission with the 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, 2nd Lieut. Richard I. Bong of the 9th Fighter Squadron, flying a P-38 shot down two Japanese planes, making the fourteenth and fifteenth victories of the day for the 49th Fighter Group."
Stars & Bars: A Tribute To The American Fighter Ace 1920–1973 (1995) page 154 (Bong victories 7-8: March 11, 1943)

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