Ace of Aces

11"x14" Pencil print

Richard "Dick" Ira Bong was a United States Army Air Forces major and Medal of Honor recipient in World War II. He was one of the most decorated American fighter pilots and the country's top flying ace in the war, credited with shooting down 40 Japanese aircraft, all with the Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter.

While on leave, Bong met Marjorie Vattendahl at a Superior State Teachers' College homecoming event and began dating her. After returning to the southwest Pacific in January 1944, he named his P-38 "Marge" and adorned the nose with her photo. During his second leave back to the states, Bong gave Marge a 'piggyback' ride in a P-38 to show her what it was like to fly in a high performance fighter.

On April 12, Captain Bong shot down his 26th and 27th Japanese aircraft, surpassing Eddie Rickenbacker's American record of 26 credited victories in World War I.

This limited-edition print by renowned Aviation artist, Gary Velasco, was approved by Marge for use as a print.