Poplar Wisconsin produced one of the best fighter pilots in U.S. History. Richard Bong became known as the Ace of All Aces after he shot down 40 Japanese airplanes. While he cemented his place in history as an American hero, his life came to a tragic end shortly before the end of the war. Tune in to learn more about the history of Richard Bong.

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Sources:

“Bong Given Promotion; Now Major.” Leader-Telegram. April 15, 1944.

“Bong Hunts in South Dakota.” Leader-Telegram. January 20, 1945.

“Bong, Bride Honeymooning.” The La Crosse Tribune, February 12, 1945.

Clements, Olen W. “Maj. Bong Grounded Indefinitely; Wants to Keep up Combat Flying.” The La Crosse Tribune, April 15, 1944.

Lauritsen, John. “Explorers Find What They Believe Is Richard Bong’s Downed Plane in Jungle Ravine.” CBS News, May 24, 2024. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/explorers-find-what-they-believe-is-richard-bongs-downed-plane-in-jungle-ravine/.

“Leaving Bong Alone.” Monroe Evening Times, January 12, 1945.

“Maj. Bong Insurance Pay Cancelled Due to Jet Plane Flight.” The La Crosse Tribune, August 2, 1946.

“Major Bong Dies in Jet Plane Crash.” The La Crosse Tribune, August 7, 1945.

Malloryk. “Major Richard Bong’s Medal of Honor.” The National WWII Museum | New Orleans, June 13, 2021. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/richard-bong-medal-of-honor.

“Marjorie Bong Is Wed in Hollywood.” Janesville Daily Gazette, October 31, 1946.

Miller, Jane. “Air Situation Changed.” Leader-Telegram. November 17, 1943.

“Mrs. Bong Given Many Job Offers.” Waukesha Daily Freeman, March 18, 1946.

“Richard Bong.” Richard Bong State Recreation Area. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/richardbong.

“Richard Ira Bong.” Wisconsin Historical Society, August 3, 2012. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS2324.

“Who Is Richard Bong?” Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center, May 28, 2024. https://bongcenter.org/about/who-is-major-richard-i-bong/.