Ace of Aces: The Story of Richard Bong | Military Aviation Museum

Join Chris Henry from the EAA Aviation Museum as he discusses the life of America’s highest-scoring WWII ace, Richard Bong.
Ace of Aces: The Story of Richard Bong
Guest Speaker: Chris Henry
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[@TH-sn7mw]

When in northern Wisconsin years ago I made sure to go to Poplar,went to the cemetery and saw his grave.It just seemed the right thing to do.Told my Dad when I got home,he was visibly impressed as he was also a WW2 veteran and of course knew Maj.Bong’s story.

[@SaundersE5]

Amazing and I’m glad I found this. I always knew of the great Dick Bong, but the real story of the man I knew not, thank you

[@Meowie___Wowie420]

This is really neat! I currently work with one of his great grandsons! Thank you for sharing!

[@yakidin63]

Congratulations on an outstanding presentation of the story of a 24 year old hero that was also from all reports a genuinely nice human being.

[@NKBobcat]

Lost too soon. Great man. Packed a lot into his 24 years.

[@kevinkranz9156]

TRUE AMERICAN HERO RIP RICHARD BONG AMEN 🙏

[@maxargenta9065]

My father served with the 49th at the same time as Bong and wrote about his 22 months in New Guinea. Look for "The War Letters of Horace Levy."

[@silentjay3272]

Funny, I grew up a Yooper, built that plastic model too, was like, “who is this Dick Bong guy” ( always loved WW2 stuff, Grandpa was in the pacific theater) Uncle said,“there’s a museum in Wisconsin , wanna go for a ride” I still have my T shirt from the museum to this day. Was like 30+ years ago!!! Nice video, thanks for that.

[@LUVEMDPOWER]

A few years back, I learned of a small private company that was supposed to be doing a movie about Bong & McGuire. From what I recall, they were working on a limited budget & relying mostly on donations to complete it. Haven't seen or heard anything lately; it definitely is a story that needs to be told in film, IMO.

[@JohnBrown-gn1zz]

Yes, apparently Captain Barry Goldwater, Bong's instructor at Luke AFB was the guy who ran against LBJ for president in 1964.

[@ichbinwolfgang]

My Grandpa was in the 49th fighter Group 8th Squadron from May 12th 1940 till August 28th 1945

[@timf2279]

Great presentation and thank you for having comments turned on.

[@jamiebong1612]

Good job 👏

[@briankistner4331]

Henry was so-so. My Dad was in the Army during WW2 and was on Leyte in the Philippines. He knew Bong and honestly, his stories about Bong were a whole lot better. My Dads unit was made the guard for 5th Air Force by Gen. Kinney. At that time Bong was on a airstrip on Tacloban along with McGwire. My Dad knew McGwire as well, and he saw when Lindberg showed up and flew. My Dad says Lindberg shot down a Zero, and that Lindberg also gunned down another with a AA gun on Tacloban.

[@donstewart2059]

my dad seen him shoot at 25 japanese bombers himself by his self

[@donstewart2059]

does anyone have gun camera footage of him when he attacked 25 bombers over port morseby by himself and were was his wingman when he did this

[@briankistner4331]

Instead of movie night on Tacloban, 5th Air Force would show the gun camera footage. My Dad said it was just crazy, insane how Bong took down planes. Bong modified his guns so they would all "bulls eye" at what ever he was shooting at.

[@comegetknifed6528]

He’s my ancestor

[@monsoonmast]

3:07 omg I feel so dumb I never made that connection. ☠️☠️☠️ I've always just thought "oh that's the plant place my mom takes her students to practice field work"

[@briancooper2112]

Bongs original P-38 was destroyed.

[@briancooper2112]

Bongs first kill Dec. 1942 not Dec. 1943.

[@mpetersen6]

If Bong had served in the ETO flying out of England (1) with one of the 8th Air Force's fighter groups. He would be more widely known. Instead because he flew in a "backwater" theater against what is percieved as low quality (2) opposition he has been denegrated to some degree. Maybe in Europe he would not have had as many victories (3). Maybe he would not have survived his combat tours. But maybe if some of the Mustang aces had been up against the large number of quality Luftwaffe aces prior to their getting whittled down by the combined efforts of the RAF, USAAF pilots in P-47s, Soviet Pilots and air gunners in B-17s and B-24s they might not have run up some of their scores either. 1) And yes i am well aware of the difference between England, Britian, Great Britian and the UK 2) Lets be honest, a considerable degree of official racism existed in US society and thought regarding the Japanese in the period. 3) Nobody really knows just how many victories Bong had.

[@readelundy7620]

Major Bong flew air cover for my great uncle. Jolly Rodger’s!🇺🇸🫡