Born: 09/24/1920
Died: 08/06/1945
Inducted:10/18/1987
Born and raised in Poplar, Wisconsin, Richard
Ira
Bong was destined to have a short but illustrious career as a
military aviator. In just under two years, Major Bong had downed 40
enemy aircraft, thereby distinguishing himself as America's top
fighter ace of World War II.
Bong entered the Army Air Corps in 1941 already in
possession of his private pilot's certificate. In 1942 he earned his
second lieutenant's wings at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
Early in 1943 Bong saw his first combat and in a
little over two weeks had qualified as an ace. By June, 1943 he had
earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and was promoted to
Captain in August, 1943. Bong's notoriety increased when, in April,1944, he recorded
his 27th victory, surpassing Captain Eddie Rickenbacker's World War
I record of 26 victories. Along with the fame came the promotion to
Major.
After more than 500 combat hours and 40 confirmed
kills Bong was sent back to the United States. Among the many
military awards Bong accumulated was the Congressional Medal of
Honor and the Australian Distinguished Flying Cross.
Back
in the states Bong was assigned as a test pilot to the Army
Technical Service Command. On August 6, 1945 Major Richard Bong was
assigned Lockheed P-80, tail number 44-85048, for a routine
acceptance flight. Following preflight inspection and a normal
engine start, pilot Bong taxied for departure. Receiving takeoff
clearance at 1430 local, the aircraft moved into takeoff position on
runway 15. Seconds later Bong pushed the throttle up beginning his
takeoff roll. Witnesses recall seeing puffs of black smoke as the
plane lifted into the air and climbed to a reported altitude of
between 300 and 400 feet. The aircraft began to roll to the right,
leveled and the canopy came off. The aircraft began a descent as the
engine, according to an eye witness, failed. The aircraft then
pitched over into a steep descent. The aircraft hit the ground in a
steep nose-down attitude with a terrific impact followed immediately
by a fuel explosion. Major Richard Ira Bong, America's Ace of Aces,
was dead.
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The P-38 flown by Richard Bong
(Photo courtesy Joyce Bong Erickson)
Lt. Dick Bong, New Guinea, 1943
(photo courtesy Library of Congress)
Richard Bong at the Globe Shipyard,
Superior, WI, January 1944
(Photo courtesy Joyce Bong Erickson)
Major Richard I Bong
(USAAC photo)
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