2nd Lt Richard I. Bong Aerial Victory Claim, January 8, 1943
First Tour of Duty

Mission History
On January 8, 1943 pilot 2nd Lt. Richard I. Bong took off from 14 Mile Drome piloting P-38F Lightning 42-12653 on a mission over Lae. At 6:00pm over the target, he claimed an Oscar, his fifth aerial victory claim.

Claims
Bong was officially credited with his fifth aerial victory and became an ace.

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 8, 1943
Individual Flight Record (Form 5) January 1943
Historical Record, 49th Fighter Group, Chapter 2 page 4
"2nd Lieut. Richard I. Bong of the 9th Fighter Squadron but still flying with the 39th Fighter Squadron, became an ace on January 8 when he bagged his fifth Japanese fighter plane. Lieut. Bong was with a mission sent out to heckle enemy shipping in Lae Harbor, when the Jap plane intercepted."
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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