Page 59 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2020-1

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty in the Southwest Pacific Area from 10 October to 15 November, 1944. Though assigned to duty as an aerial gunnery instructor and neither required nor expected to perform combat duty, Maj. Bong voluntarily and at his own urgent request engaged in repeated combat missions, including unusually hazardous sorties over Balikpapan, Borneo, and in the Leyte area of the Philippines. His aggressiveness and daring resulted in his shooting down 8 enemy planes during this period.”
Maj. Richard I. “Dick” Bong, USAAF was awarded the Medal of Honor in December 1944 by General Douglas Mac Arthur for his actions in Borneo and the Philippines.
“Ace of Aces” Dick Bong in the cockpit of his Lockheed P-38 “Marge” named after his wife Marjorie.
SUMMER 2020 / DFCS News Magazine / 59