Wingtip of WWII Ace Richard Bong's Plane 'Marge' Returned to Wisconsin
A wingtip from the P-38 Lightning fighter, named 'Marge', associated with famed WWII pilot Richard I. Bong, has been discovered in Papua New Guinea and returned to Wisconsin. This recovery was part of 'Mission Marge,' led by organizations like Pacific Wrecks and the Papua New Guinea National Museum. The site was identified in May 2024, and the wingtip was retrieved this summer, aided by Bong’s nephews. It has now arrived in the U.S. and is set to be displayed at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center. Bong, a Poplar native, shot down 40 enemy planes and was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1944.
Key facts
- Wingtip of Richard Bong's P-38 'Marge' recovered from Papua New Guinea jungle.
- Mission Marge team discovered wreckage in May 2024, confirmed via serial number.
- Recovery included Bong's nephews Jim Bong and Mitchell Erickson.
- Wingtip transported via Papua New Guinea Defence Force, Guam, and Hawaii to Wisconsin.
- Wingtip now at Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center, will be exhibited.
- Bong shot down 40 enemy aircraft, a record unbroken among American pilots.
- Bong received Medal of Honor from General Douglas MacArthur in December 1944.
- Plane crashed in 1944 after propeller and electrical failure; pilot Malone bailed out.
Entities
Artists
- Richard I. Bong
- Marjorie Vattendahl
- Thomas E. Malone
- Jim Bong
- Mitchell Erickson
- Jerry Fechtelkotter
- Briana Fiandt
- Douglas MacArthur
Institutions
- Pacific Wrecks
- Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery
- Wisconsin Air National Guard
- Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center
- Papua New Guinea Defence Force
- Andersen Air Force Base
- Smithsonian
Locations
- Papua New Guinea
- Wisconsin
- Poplar
- Guam
- Hawaii
- California