Page 62 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2020-1

RICHARD I. BONG
#7) The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes
pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in Addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf
Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Richard Ira
Bong, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight
while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot with Headquarters, V Fighter Command, FIFTH Air Force in an
aerial flight over Ormoc, Philippine Islands on 7 December, 1944. Major Bong led four P-38s on a
patrol of Ormoc and the convoy area, and at an altitude of 4000 feet, arriving over a friendly convoy.
He sighted an enemy bomber and gave chase, closing to 1000 feet and setting the left engine on fire, causing the
airplane to crash on Bohol Island. He resumed patrol at 3000 feet over the convoy and soon sighted five more hostile
aircraft. He turned left and met the tail man head-on and scored several hits on his engine. The plane spiraled down with
a dead engine and crashed just to the rear of the convoy. Major Bong’s outstanding courage and devotion to duty are
worthy of the highest commendation. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the
United States.
62 / DFCS News Magazine / SUMMER 2020