A piece of a World War II fighter plane that crashed 80 years ago and belonged to the country’s top ace, Maj. Richard Bong, has been found and returned to his home state of Wisconsin.
Maj. Richard Bong’s Legacy
Bong, originally from Poplar, Wisconsin, was a notable figure in World War II, with 40 confirmed combat victories in the air. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery and selflessness.
The P-38 Lockheed Lightning, named after his future wife, Marjorie ‘Marge’ Vattendahl, was used for dozens of missions before it crashed in March 1944. The plane was later found, and a wingtip was recovered and brought back to the United States with the help of the Wisconsin Air National Guard.
The wingtip is now part of the collection at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center in Superior, Wisconsin. This recovery is a significant piece of World War II history and a testament to the enduring legacy of Maj. Richard Bong.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
