Poplar in Douglas County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Major "Dick" Bong
"America's Ace of Aces"
Photographed By Fitzie Heimdahl
1. Major "Dick" Bong Marker
It was here that Major Richard I. Bong was born, received his education, and grew to manhood. After attending Superior State College where he received his first pilot training, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps on May 29, 1941. Assigned to the New Guinea combat theater of operations on September 5, 1942, he quickly proved his mastery in the air by shooting down two enemy aircraft in his first air battle. By destroying a total of forty enemy aircraft in air combat he became American's leading air ace of all time. Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by a grateful government and winner of many other military decorations, he lost his life testing a jet plane in August 1945 and lies buried nearby.
Erected 1957
Erected 1957 by Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 64.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients, and the Wisconsin Historical Society series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1942.
Location. 46° 35.11′ N, 91° 48.101′ W. Marker is in Poplar, Wisconsin, in Douglas County. Marker is on Main Street east of County Highway D, on the left when traveling
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Major Richard Ira Bong (approx. ¼ mile away); Davidson Windmill (approx. 6.6 miles away); Evergreen Park Cottage Sanatorium (approx. 6.8 miles away); Northwest Portal of Wisconsin (approx. 10.9 miles away); Lake Superior (approx. 11.4 miles away); Brule-St. Croix Portage (approx. 14.1 miles away); The Brule St. Croix Portage (approx. 14.2 miles away).
Also see . . . Richard Bong. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on June 14, 2011.)
Additional keywords. P-38 "Lightning"; P-80 "Shooting Star" aircraft
Photographed By Keith L, June 12, 2011
2. Major "Dick" Bong Marker
Photographed By Gary Sonnenberg, August 1, 2023
3. Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center
Photographed By Keith L, June 12, 2011
4. Major "Dick" Bong Marker
Photographed By Gary Sonnenberg, August 1, 2023
5. Major "Dick" Bong Marker site
Includes (left to right) a plaque about the donation of a P-38 Lightning, Marker 64, a (blue) sign about the Veterans Historical Center, and a sign about the American Legion.
Photographed By Gary Sonnenberg, August 1, 2023
6. Donation of a P-38 Lightning
Photographed By Keith L, June 12, 2011
7. Close-up of Sign at Marker
Photographed By Keith L, June 12, 2011
8. Sign at Poplar Cemetery
Major Bong Grave →
Photographed By Keith L, June 12, 2011
9. Sign by Grave Site
Richard Ira Bong
Major, Fifth Air Force, WWII
* Medal of Honor * America's Ace of Aces *
→
Photographed By Keith L, June 12, 2011
10. Major Bong Grave
Major • Fifth Air Force
Sept. 24, 1920 • Aug. 6, 1945
"America's Ace of Aces"
Richard I Bong
Medal of Honor
Maj US Army Air Corps
World War II
Sep 24 1920 • Aug 6 1945
Dst Svc Cross - Silver Star
Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,611 times since then and 72 times this year. Last updated on March 12, 2014, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on November 30, 2023, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on June 14, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on August 11, 2023, by Gary Sonnenberg of Waukesha, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on June 14, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 5, 6. submitted on August 11, 2023, by Gary Sonnenberg of Waukesha, Wisconsin. 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on June 14, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
