| United States Army Air Force Lieutenant Richard I. “Dick” Bong (September 24, 1920 – August 6, 1945) of Poplar, Wisconsin, in the cockpit of his Lockheed P-38F Lightning. Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 49th Fighter Group, 9th Fighter Squadron, the “Flying Knights,” 5th Fighter Command, Bong was the highest-scoring American ace of World War II. On the olive drab paint were marks from the cosmoline corrosion inhibitor used when the plane was shipped overseas. Bong appears to be wearing another pilot’s helmet. As maintenance, fuel, ammunition, spare parts, and the health of the pilots varied, personnel rotated aircraft according to availability. Bong flew several aircraft, not all of which were directly assigned to him. Additionally, the serial number of every plane he flew was not recorded for every mission. The Lockheed P-38 Lightning required meticulous training and attention to fly effectively. The early versions claimed the lives of many novice pilots stateside. The British rejected the Lightning due to the high demands placed on the pilot to manage 2 engines. The addition of the Lightning to combat in New Guinea meant a high-speed, long-range fighter could engage Japanese aircraft with slashing attacks, which Bong used to his advantage. His 1st 2 victories were credited to P-38F-5-LO Lightning serial number 42-12644 nicknamed “Thumper.” Assigned to 2nd Lieutenant John H. “Shady” Lane (September 22, 1919 – February 2, 1984). At 1200 Hours over Dobodura, Bong engaged Japanese planes, including Aichi D3A “Vals” and Mitsubishi A6M “Zeros” from the 582nd Kōkūtai (“582nd Air Group”), plus Nakajima Ki-43-I Hayabusa “Oscars” from 11th Hiko Sentai (11th “Flying Regiment”). During air combat, Bong claimed a Val and a 0. On December 31, 1942, and January 7, 1943, Bong piloted P-38F-5-LO Lightning serial number 42-12624 from 14-Mile Airdrome at Port Moresby. Bong shot down 2 Ki-43 Oscars during these engagements. Bong flew P-38F-5-LO Lightning serial number 42-12653 on January 8, 1943, and claimed another Ki-43 Oscar, making him an ace. During the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, Bong flew a P-38G-5 Lightning, serial number unknown, escorting a bombing mission over Lae. He shot down another Ki-43 Oscar. The Japanese raided Horanda Airfield on New Guinea, Bong’s squadron’s new base, on March 11, 1943. Bong took off in a P-38G-15 Lightning, serial number unknown, with bombs exploding all around him; 3 parked P-38s were destroyed. He was credited with shooting down 2 A6M Zeroes. Piloting a P-38G-5 Lightning, serial number unknown, on March 29, 1943, Bong shot down a Mitsubishi Ki-46 “Dinah” reconnaissance aircraft during a 4-plane patrol. On April 14, 1943, piloting a P-38G-5 Lightning, serial number unknown, Bong shot down a Mitsubishi G4M “Betty” medium bomber, his 10th aerial victory. 2 of the crew were rescued and became Prisoners of War. While piloting a P-38G-5 Lightning, serial number unknown, on June 12, 1943, Bong and other P-38s engaged Ki-43 Oscars. Bong’s P-38 was hit in the right boom during the engagement. He claimed his 11th victory over a Ki-43. Bong flew 12 combat missions in a P-38H-1-LO Lightning, serial number unknown, that he was assigned in July 1943. On July 26, 1943, he shot down 2 A6M Zeroes and 2 Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien “Tonys.” After returning from leave, his P-38H-1-LO Lightning was damaged by gunfire from Japanese bombers, and his right engine seized. Bong feathers the propeller and requests an emergency landing at Marilinan Airfield. While landing, he loses the left engine, and the Lightning crashes nose up. Assigned P-38H-5-LO Lightning serial number 42-66847, the left side of the nose below the cockpit was Bong’s scoreboard in a black rectangle with Japanese rising sun flags indicating each of his aerial victories. On October 2, 1943, Bong shot down a Dinah, his 17th victory. On October 29, 1943, Bong switched planes and was flying a P-38H-5 Lightning, serial number unknown, to escort Consolidated B-24 Liberators as they bombed Rabaul. He shot down 2 A6M Zeroes over the target. Encountering “old” Zeroes with reticent pilots, Bong shot down 2 Zeroes on November 5, 1943, in P-38H Lightning 42-66847. These were his last victories on his 1st tour of combat. Bong went on to 19 more victories – 7 on his 2nd tour, and 12 on his 3rd tour. He was killed while test-piloting the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star jet fighter, the same day Hiroshima was bombed. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1546.jpg |
| Image Size | 669.01 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 3300 x 2440 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Army Air Force |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | March 6, 1943 |
| Location | Horanda Airfield |
| City | Dobodura |
| State or Province | Oro |
| Country | New Guinea |
| Archive | United States Air Force |
| Record Number | 020903-O-9999B-093 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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