Description:

RICHARD I. BONG
(1920 - 1945) American ace and Medal of Honor recipient, with 40 kills and 7 'probables', all in the same P-38. Killed in the flame-out of a P-80. Early in 1943 Bong saw his first combat and in a little over two weeks had qualified as an ace. By June, 1943 he had earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and was promoted to captain in August, 1943. Bong's notoriety increased when, in April,1944, he recorded his 27th victory, surpassing Captain Eddie Rickenbacker's World War I record of 26 victories. Very rare war-date signature adding rank accomplished on a postal cover also addressed in his hand to a Boy Scout troop in Washington, Poplar, WI, Oct. 29, 1943. In full: ‘Capt. R. I. Bong Poplar Wisconsin, U.S. Air Cargo Ace [?] 1943.' Accompanied by a period photograph, 4 x 6.75 b/w, a smiling image in uniform with facsimile signature at bottom.

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December 4, 2024 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000