2nd Lt Richard I. Bong Probable Claim, December 31, 1942
First Tour of Duty

Mission History
On December 31, 1942 took off from 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) near Port Moresby piloting P-38F Lightning 42-12624 as one of twelve P-38s escorting B-25 Mitchells from 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG), B-26 Marauders from 22nd Bombardment Group (22nd BG) plus six A-20s from 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 89th Bombardment Squadron (89th BS) on a mission to bomb and strafe parked planes at Lae Airfield.

Bong was part of "Red Flight" flying as wingman for flight leader 1st Lt. Thomas J. Lynch. Over the target, Bong made frontal attacks against Zekes [sic Ki-43-I Oscars of 11th Hiko Sentai (11th Flying Regiment)]. 12:35pm he claimed a probable victory. Lynch made several passes at Oscars and Zeros and claimed two aerial victories.

Claims
Bong claimed a probable Zero. He commented the Japanese pilots were "high grade" and made aggressive frontal attacks

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, December 27, 1942
"12/31 / P-38 / Probably shot down one Zeke type Zero over Lai [sic Lae]. Shot a piece of an engine out but had not see[n] him crash. Top cover for B-26s, B-25s and A-20s."
Individual Flight Record (Form 5) December 1942
Stars & Bars: A Tribute To The American Fighter Ace 1920–1973 (1995) page 154 (Bong probable: December 31, 1942)

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