Discovery of Richard Bong’s Missing Fighter Plane in Papua New Guinea

The remnants of a World War II fighter jet, once piloted by the renowned ace Richard Bong, have reportedly been discovered in Papua New Guinea. This long-lost aircraft, named "Marge," vanished in March 1944 due to an engine malfunction while flying over what is now Madang Province.

Search and Discovery: Tracking Down the Wreckage

The exploration leading to this significant discovery was facilitated by individuals from the organization "Pacific Wrecks" in collaboration with the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Research Center. The fragments unearthed from the jungle show serial numbers that correspond with those assigned to the aircraft. The remoteness of the wreckage has allowed it to remain largely intact over the decades, though access remains challenging.

World War II Aircraft Wreckage Found in Madang Province

The site of the wreckage is located deep within a dense jungle ravine in Madang Province, where navigating the terrain is incredibly difficult. The search team, composed of members from Pacific Wrecks and the Bong historical center, had been studying historical records and local testimonies for several years.

Initially, the team was misled to a different crash site, which turned out to be a Japanese aircraft. Undeterred, they ventured further inland and eventually reached a steep, vegetation-covered ravine. Signs of metal fragments became evident along the slope, revealing parts of the aircraft.

Identifying the Aircraft: Physical Evidence and Serial Numbers

Identification of the aircraft relies on several physical characteristics observed at the crash site. The investigation turned up various metallic pieces, one inscribed with "Model P-38 JK," hinting at the aircraft’s identity. Unfortunately, due to corrosion, some numbers related to the serial identification were difficult to read.

Additionally, portions of the wing displayed fragments of the serial number, while traces of red paint on the wreck corroborated historical descriptions of Bong’s aircraft "Marge," which featured red wing tips.

Richard I. Bong: America’s Top World War II Fighter Ace

Richard I. Bong emerged as one of the most celebrated American fighter pilots during World War II. Hailing from Poplar, Wisconsin, he rose to prominence while flying the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, which he named “Marge” after his girlfriend, Marge Vattendahl. Bong is credited with 40 aerial victories, marking him as the highest-scoring American ace of the war.

His exceptional combat record earned him the Medal of Honor in 1944, one of the United States’ highest military distinctions. Tragically, Bong’s life was cut short in 1945 during a test flight of a P-80 jet, which occurred on the same day as the Hiroshima atomic bombing.

The Crash of “Marge”: Engine Failure and Survival

The aircraft believed to belong to Bong, “Marge,” crashed in March 1944 while piloted by Thomas Malone, who reported an engine failure that caused the plane to lose control. Malone was able to bail out before the aircraft spun uncontrollably into the jungles of Papua New Guinea. Despite extensive historical documentation and ongoing interest from aviation researchers, the wreck remained elusive for decades, deep within the thick forest.

This discovery sheds light on a significant chapter of World War II history, bringing closure to the mystery surrounding the fate of Richard Bong’s legendary aircraft.