Richard Ira Bong ★ World War II Gold Star Veteran from Wisconsin
On August 6, 1945 Major Bong was declared a casualty of World War II. ★ He served with honor in the United States Army Air Forces. ★ He is remembered by the people of Wisconsin. ★ May his positive example inspire us. Working together towards peace, mutual respect, and equality for all.
We all benefit when we work together to honor fallen American service members. The Honor States archive is a grassroots initiative. Of the people, by the people, for the people.
Click to Submit Update Request for this Fallen Service Member▼ Content Integrity Note
Our displayed data concerning the life and military history of Richard Ira Bong is a work in progress. We've assembled a list of elements we are in the process of researching and reviewing. This profile was last edited on 2018-09-27 16:43:12.
Missing : Core Data
· Enlistment type· Date of tour or service
Missing : Supplemental Data
· Birth + childhood location· Educational background
· Marriage history
· Parents, family history
· Expanded references and citations
Service Details
| This Profile ID | 547035 |
| Service ID | O-433784 |
| Name | Richard Ira Bong |
| From | Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin |
| Birth Date | September 24, 1920 |
| Casualty Date | August 6, 1945 |
| War | World War II |
| Service Branch | Army Air Forces |
| Rank | Major |
| Specialty | Pilot |
| Unit/Group | 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group |
| Casualty Type | DNB - Died Non-battle |
| Location | North Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California, |
| Burial | Poplar Cemetery, Douglas County, Wisconsin |
| Notable Awards |
★ Medal of Honor
★ Distinguished Service Cross
★ Silver Star
★ Distinguished Flying Cross
★ Air Medal
★ Purple Heart |
Additional Details
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. A highly decorated fighter pilot in the US Army Air Force during World War II, he became the US highest scoring air ace, having shot down at least 40 Japanese aircraft in the Pacific Theater.One of nine children born to Swedish immigrant parents, he became interested in aviation at a young age. In 1938 he enrolled in the Civilian Pilot Training Program and also took private flying lessons. In 1941 he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program. On December 27, 1942, he claimed his first aerial victory, shooting down two Japanese fighters during the Battle of Buna-Gona, New Guinea. For this action Bong was awarded the Silver Star. By April 1944 he had been promoted to the rank of captain and had shot down 27 Japanese aircraft, surpassing Eddie Rickenbacker's American record of 26 credited victories in World War I. During the Philippines campaign, he increased his official air-to-air victory total to 40. Upon the recommendation of Far East Air Force commander General George Kenney, he received the Medal of Honor from General Douglas MacArthur in a special ceremony in December 1944. He became a test pilot assigned to Lockheed Aircraft's Burbank, California plant, where he flew P-80 Shooting Star jet fighters. On August 6, 1945, the plane's primary fuel pump malfunctioned during takeoff. He managed to bail out of the aircraft, but was too low for his parachute to deploy and died at the age of 24. There is a 4,500 acre wildlife recreation area in Kenosha County, Wisconsin named in his honor. |
Commendations + Awards
Please note this might not be a complete or completely accurate accounting. For some awards we use probability factors based on known service details. Thanks for your understanding.
★ Medal of Honor
★ World War II Victory Medal
★ Distinguished Service Cross
★ Distinguished Flying Cross
★ Silver Star
★ Air Medal
★ Purple Heart
★ United States Aviator Badge Army
★ World War I Victory Medal
★ American Campaign Medal
★ Army Presidential Unit Citation
★ Army Good Conduct Medal
Wisconsin Gold Star Veterans Gallery
Honoring the men and women of Wisconsin who gave their all for their country. May their example of courage and sacrifice be our guide. To be strong and responsible in our lives as citizens of the world. Through honest daily actions, we honor them.
▼ Wisconsin was home to over 12,789 American Gold Star veterans from 4 wars of the 20th Century. Some significant statistics:
• 2,844 World War I
• 7,904 World War II
• 879 Korean War
• 1,162 Vietnam War
• 290 Prisoners of war
• 1,862 Missing in action
• 50 Pearl Harbor casualties
• 91 D-Day Normandy casualties
• 12 Medal of Honor recipients
• 7,904 World War II
• 879 Korean War
• 1,162 Vietnam War
• 290 Prisoners of war
• 1,862 Missing in action
• 50 Pearl Harbor casualties
• 91 D-Day Normandy casualties
• 12 Medal of Honor recipients
Guardians of Honor Credits
▼ Organizational Supporters - HonorStates.org and the National Unified Archive of American Gold Star Veterans is stringently curated. This attention to quality extends to our supporters program. We carefully research and screen prospective organizations we perceive as being suitably aligned with our mission
▼ National Memorial Day Parade with Spirit of 45
▼ National D-Day Memorial
▼ Walgreens Supported National Memorial Day Parade
▼ American Veterans Center 75th D-Day Congressional Reception
▼ Research Contributors - Groups and individuals who have been directly responsible for curating content. Some are experienced historians and archivists, others are enthusiastic members of the public who have suggested content additions or corrections.
Honor States Admin
Roy "Joker"
Sarah Jo "Lady Chaos"
▼ Primary Sources - These are repositories for artifacts, documents, diaries, manuscripts, and other information that serve as original and authoritative sources of information.
National Archives (NARA)
Library of Congress (LOC)
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA)
Findagrave.com
Ancestry.com
Honoring our fallen. Together. Uniting us in meaningful common cause. When we work together to honor our Gold Star veterans, we heal our nation together. It's a team effort. Everyone's invited to join as a Citizen Historian and Guardian of Honor. - learn more
Here is Some Important Information!
Rolling Thunder National Riders
Incorporated in 1995, Rolling Thunder, Inc is a registered non-profit organization with over 90 chartered chapters throughout the United States. Members are old and young, men and women, veterans and civilians. All united in the cause to bring full accountability for the POW/MIA of all wars, reminding all of our watchwords: We Will Not Forget.
★ Featured National Supporter
Our Supporters are Essential Team Members! - learn more
Lenor - I look forward each day to helping get the word out about Honor States. Especially to the kids who really need to learn.
Taylor - It is unbelievable what these young Americans sacrifice to preserve our freedom. I'm inspired and humbled by them all.
Wayne - I am so very proud of all our men and woman that have served and are serving. Our family owes a debt we can never pay in full.
Collin - Your site is providing educational benefits. Kids especially really need to know of the supreme gifts of their freedom.
Copyright 2024, Created in the USA
General Disclaimer - This is a private sector project developed by Hello Pineapple LLC. Although we enter into collaborative associations with many supporting organizations, this site is not owned or operated by any Government body. All information found on this site has been obtained through fair use public contributions. We've done our best to craft a valuable and comprehensive product for the benefit of our world's collective history, however we make no claims of 100% accuracy. :)
Furthermore, the information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or contractural advice. Parts of this website may include sections that may be considered advertising in a broad sense. All information is current at the time of publication, however it is subject to change by it's very nature.