Richard Ira "Dick" Bong was a United States Army Air Forces officer 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. He died in California while testing a Lockheed P-80 jet fighter shortly before the war ended. Bong was posthumously inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1986 and has several commemorative monuments named in his honor around the world, including an airport, two bridges, a theater, a veterans historical center, a recreation area, a neighborhood terrace, and several avenues and streets, including the street leading to the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
Richard Bong, American soldier and pilot, Medal of Honor recipient (born 1920)
On August 6, in the year 1945, Richard Bong, American soldier and pilot, Medal of Honor recipient (born 1920). This event is recorded as a Notable Deaths event in the history of August 6, one of 351 recorded events on this date across all of history.
1 notable person is associated with this event, including Richard Bong. Learn more below.
Key Facts
- This event took place on August 6, 1945 (AD era).
- It is categorised as a Notable Deaths event in recorded history.
- Referenced in 2 Wikipedia articles.
- 1 notable person is recorded as involved in or associated with this event.
- Wikipedia source last updated on 16 July 2026.
On This Date in History 351
This article draws on content from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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