Richard I. Bong-Poplar WI
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 46° 34.818 W 091° 47.736
15T E 592279 N 5159230
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action in the air over Borneo and Leyte from October 10 to November 15, 1944. He is buried in Poplar Cemetery, Poplar WI in Plat 1, Block 8, Lot 10.
Waymark Code: WMWT1C
Location: Wisconsin, United States
Date Posted: 10/09/2017
Views: 1
He was born on September 24, 1920 in Superior, WI and died on August 6, 1945 in North Hollywood CA. He became the US highest scoring air ace as the shot down at least 40 Japanese aircraft in the Pacific Theater. His Medal of Honor information and citation is:
BONG, RICHARD I. (Air Mission)
• Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps.
• Place and date: Over Borneo and Leyte, 10 October to 15 November 1944
• Entered service at: Poplar, Wis.
• G.O. No.: 90, 8 December 1944
Citation: 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 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 airplanes during this period.
Armed Service: Army
|
Visit Instructions:
To properly log your find, post a photograph of the medal recipient's grave marker. Do not place anything on the grave when taking the photo. If you have more information about the recipient please include it in your log.