Richard Ira Bong

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Major (Air Corps) Richard Ira Bong (ASN: 0-433784), United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 49th Fighter Group, V Fighter Command, Fifth Air Force, in action 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, Major 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 eight enemy airplanes during this period.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Richard Ira Bong (0-433784), First Lieutenant (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane in the 49th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 26 July 1943, during an air mission over Lae, New Guinea. In aerial combat on this date Lieutenant Bong destroyed FOUR enemy aircraft in a single engagement, bringing his total to this date to FIFTEEN enemy aircraft destroyed and becoming a TRIPLE ACE. First Lieutenant Bong’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.