TFH 10/10: Major Richard I. Bong, USAAC

Today's edition of Their Finest Hour returns to Medal of Honor Citations honoring members of the United States Air Force and its predecessors. During World War II, this aviator's heroism was deemed worthy of our Nation's highest honor:

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. Birth: 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.

Now normally, when I recount the sacrifices and service of a Medal of Honor winner, I let their citation speak for itself. In the case of Major Richard I. Bong, the citation is only a brief glimpse into the courage of this great American.

Major Bong is the United States' all-time air-to-air victory ace, with at least forty attributed "kills" of Japanese aircraft during the war. In additon to the Medal of Honor, Major Bong was also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Star Medals, seven Distinguished Flying Crosses, and fourteen Air Medals for his wartime flying, making him one of the most - if not the most - decorated aviator in United States' history!

Richard Bong's Medal of Honor is in one sense, a well-earned lifetime achievement award.

After being relieved from wartime service in January 1945, Major Bong became a test pilot for the P-80, America's first jet fighter. He was killed tragically on August 6, 1945 when he was forced to bail out of a P-80 at low altitude, which did not give his parachute the opportunity to open.

The untimely death of this American hero made front-page news across the country, even though the major story of the day was the beginning of the Pacific War's final act - the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan.

Richard Bong, your flying skill, tenacity, and courage in the face of the enemies of Freedom showed the best that America has to offer. I thank you sincerely for your service and sacrifices for our great Nation. October 10-November 15, 1944 was your finest hour!