Bombing of Nagasaki
9th August 1945
Second atomic bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, prompting the Empire of Japan to surrender unconditionally on September 2, 1945.
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Richard Bong
Childhood and Education
September 1920 - June 1938
Bong Historical Center Archives
Bong Historical Center Archives
Military Service
January 1942 - August 1945
Bong Historical Center Archives
Bong Historical Center Archives
Student Pilot to Flying Cadet
June 1938 - January 1942
From the National Archives
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Background
Background
Battle of Okinawa
1st Apr 1945 - 21st Jun 1945
The largest amphibious assault of WWII takes place on the Island of Okinawa.
MoreBackground
Battle of Iwo Jima
19th Feb 1945 - 26th Mar 1945
One of the most ferocious battles in the Pacific Theater in WWII takes place.
MoreMarge and Richard
Background
Battle of Manila, Philippines
3rd Feb 1945 - 3rd Mar 1945
Battle of Manila concludes, marking American liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation.
MoreMarjorie Vattendahl
Marge Graduates from Superior
26th January 1945
Marjorie graduates from Superior Teachers' College.
MoreMaj. Bong
Bong returns Home from the War.
20th December 1944
Major Bong, having become the most accomplished American fighter ace of the war, returns home from the Army.
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Maj. Bong
Medal of Honor Awarded
5th December 1944
Major Bong receives the Medal of Honor for his service from October 10 - November 15, 1944.
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Background
Maj. Bong
Hollywood Bowl War Bond Show
4th July 1944
Major Bong attends the Hollywood Bowl alongside Hollywood stars to promote War Bonds for the war effort.
MoreBackground
Battle of the Philippine Sea
19th Jun 1944 - 20th Jun 1944
Also known as "The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot", ended in a decisive American victory.
MoreBackground
Marge and Richard
Maj. Bong
Victories 26, 27, & 28. Promotion to Major.
12th April 1944
Three Victories. Richard Bong is promoted to Major. Breaks Eddie Rickenbacker's WWI record of 26 aerial victories.
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Capt. Bong
"Marge" is Lost
24th March 1944
Richard's famous "Marge" P-38 is lost during a weather reconnaissance mission.
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Marge and Richard
Background
Capt. Bong
"No.1 Pin-Up Boy"
16th Nov 1943 - 10th Dec 1943
Richard Bong visits the Globe Shipbuilding Company in Superior, WI for a War Bond Drive.
MoreCapt. Bong
Background
Battle of Attu
11th May 1943 - 30th May 1943
Largest battle of the Aleutian Islands Campaign, the only campaign fought on North American soil.
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1st Lt. Bong
Background
Battle of the Bismarck Sea
2nd Mar 1943 - 4th Mar 1943
Battle of the Bismarck Sea ends with a decisive Allied victory.
More2nd Lt. Bong
Returned to 9th Fighter Squadron
11th January 1943
Returned to 9th Fighter Squadron after scoring five victories.
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2nd Lt. Bong
Background
Reading Official Documentation
26th December 1942
For improved reading of documentation regarding Richard Bong's Victories.
More2nd Lt. Bong
Assignment to the Pacific
2nd September 1942
Notified of deployment for foreign service and assignment to 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group as a combat fighter pilot.
MoreBackground
Battle of Guadalcanal
7th Aug 1942 - 9th Feb 1943
American Marine and Army forces fight the Japanese forces and take back the first island in the war.
MoreBackground
Battle of Midway
4th Jun 1942 - 7th Jun 1942
The Battle of Midway, one of the most crucial battles in the Pacific Theater, ends with a decisive American victory.
MoreBackground
Battle of the Coral Sea
4th May 1942 - 8th May 1942
Battle of the Coral Sea takes place between the naval forces of the United States (and Australia) and Japan.
More2nd Lt. Bong
P-38 Training
2nd May 1942
Transferred to Hamilton Field, CA for combat training in P-38 type aircraft.
More2nd Lt. Bong
Graduation
9th January 1942
Richard Bong graduates with honors in his class at the Air Corps Advanced Flying School in Phoenix, Arizona.
MoreFlying Cadet Bong
Commissioning
8th January 1942
Richard Bong is discharged from his Cadet (trainee) status. Officially commissioned to Second Lieutenant on January 9.
MoreBackground
Battle of Wake Island
8th Dec 1941 - 23rd Dec 1941
The battle of Wake Island takes place, resulting in the Japanese occupation of Wake Island.
MoreBackground
"A Date Which Will Live in Infamy"
7th December 1941
The Empire of Japan attacks the American Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, marking the entry of the United States into the Second World War.
MoreFlying Cadet Bong
Flying Cadet Bong
29th May 1941 - 29th Jun 1941
Bong begins training and is given his trainee rank of Flying Cadet.
MoreRichard Bong
Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder
24th May 1941
Richard Bong is accepted as a flying cadet and ordered to report for training.
MoreRichard Bong
I Want You For The U.S Army
3rd February 1941
Richard Bong applies for appointment as a flying cadet in the Army Air Corps.
MoreMarjorie Vattendahl
Marge begins at Superior Teachers' College
3rd February 1941
Marjorie Vattendahl begins studying at Superior to become an educator.
MoreRichard Bong
Student Pilot Training
24th Sep 1940 - 15th Dec 1940
Richard Bong begins learning to become a pilot at Superior State Teacher's College.
MoreRichard Bong
Graduation from Superior Central
9th June 1938
Graduation from Poplar, and Graduation from Superior Central High.
MoreBackground
Wall Street Crash of 1929
28th October 1929
On what became known as "Black Monday" the stock market crashed, marking the beginning of the Great Depression.
MoreRichard Bong
Baby's First Airplane
10th Jun 1928 - 1st Jul 1928
Richard Bong sees a plane for the first time in his life, and immediately knows what he wants to do when he grows up.
MoreBackground
Note on Timeline
1st November 1920
Majority of important events on this timeline occur beginning in 1940.
MoreRichard Bong
Birth
24th September 1920
Richard Ira Bong was born to Carl Bong and Dora Bryce in Superior Wisconsin.
MoreSeptember 1920
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1946
Richard Bong
America's "Ace of Aces"
Richard Bong, Major, United States Army Air Corps. Medal of Honor Recipient and America's Ace of Aces with 40 confirmed victories in the air.