WW2 Ace, Richard Bong's Plane, 'Marge' Wreckage Possibly Found, So. Pacific; MoH Award MacArthur

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(3:39 mins, 1 yr ago). - NBC, 'Explorers discover possible wreckage of World War II ace Richard Bong's plane in South Pacific,' May 23, 2024. Ed.
- Bong, who grew up in Poplar, Wisc., is credited with shooting down 40 Japanese aircraft during World War II
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Searchers announced Thursday they've discovered what they believe is the wreckage of World War II ace Richard Bong's plane in the South Pacific. The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center in Superior, Wisc., and the nonprofit World War II historical preservation group Pacific Wrecks announced in March they were launching a joint search for Bong's Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter.

Bong nicknamed the plane “Marge” after his girlfriend, Marge Vattendahl.

Another pilot, Thomas Malone, was flying the plane in March 1944 over what is now known as Papua New Guinea when engine failure sent it into a spin. Malone bailed out before the plane crashed in the jungle. The expedition's leader, Pacific Wrecks Director Justin Taylan, said that the search team discovered the wreckage in the jungles of Papua New Guinea's Madang Province on May 15.

He released photos of himself in the jungle with chunks of metal on the ground. In one photo he points to what the caption calls a wing tip from the plane stamped with “993,” the last three numbers of the plane's serial number. Enlarging the photo shows markings that could be two “9s” but they're obscured by what might be dirt or rust and difficult to make out. Another photo shows a piece of metal stamped with “Model P-38 JK.”

Taylan said during a video news conference from Papua New Guinea on Thursday afternoon that the serial number and model identification prove the plane is Marge “definitely, beyond a doubt."I think it’s safe to say mission accomplished,” Taylan said. “Marge has been identified. It’s a great day for the center, a great day for Pacific Wrecks, a great day for history.” Taylan has been researching the location of the crash site for years. He said that historical records suggested it went down on the grounds of a 150-year old plantation..
"The Bong family is very excited about this discovery,” James Bong, Richard Bong's nephew, said in the news release. “It is amazing and incredible that ‘Marge’ has been found and identified.”...
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/national-international/explorers-discover-possible-wreckage-of-world-war-ii-ace-richard-bongs-plane-in-south-pacific/3419989/

[usaf-vet]

1. Looking forward to visting the Bong Museum in the near future. We live within easy driving distant to the museum. On....

.... the drive to the museum we pass through his hometown, where he is buried. We have visited the burial site in a small hometown cemetery.

Rumor in our town has it that he flew the whole length of Main Street with one wing tip down (like a knife's edge).
When we moved here, the WW II vets from the town swore it was a true story.

The town still gets a USAF flyover from the nearby Air National Guard Unit each year during the 4th of July parade.

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/national-international/explorers-discover-possible-wreckage-of-world-war-ii-ace-richard-bongs-plane-in-south-pacific/3419989/

[appalachiablue]

2. Lucky you, have a great visit. Love the local stories, Bong was so

skilled and had some maverick in him too. That many feats and awards only in his early 20s. Remarkable! Thanks for the reply.

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4. Video: Richard 'Dick' Bong, Legends of Airpower 407, 1 yr. ago

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3. Richard Bong: Boy from Poplar, Wisconsin:

- (6 mins). Richard Bong's background and military service in WWII. Visit to the Bong Veterans Historical Center in Poplar, Wisc. and a talk by a veteran volunteer.
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Richard Bong grew up on a small farm in the village of Poplar, Wisc. He later became a decorated veteran, including the Medal of Honor.
Bong was known as the 'Ace of Aces' for being the WWII fighter pilot who downed the most enemy aircraft in his P-38 Lighting with a record of 40 total in his over 200 mission flights. Bong was one of the best fighter pilots to ever live and his record is still unmatched to this day.