In this month’s episode of Archive Dive, we learn about the search for a piece of Richard I Bong’s story — the “Marge” plane.
The Poplar man became America’s Ace of Aces for downing 40 enemy aircraft during World War II, which is the most by any U.S. pilot to date.
The plane was named for Marjorie “Marge” Vattendahl, Bong’s girlfriend who later became his wife. His most iconic plane was one that he only flew for three months before it crashed in Papua, New Guinea 80 years ago. Now an expedition has discovered the crash site of the P-38 Lightning Marge plane.
For this episode, Telegram Reporter Maria Lockwood is joined by Briana Fiandt, curator of collections and exhibits for the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center as they discuss the history and the rediscovery of the Marge plane.
“I think that this plane is the most famous fighter plane out of World War II,” said Fiandt. “It belongs to Richard Bong, who is the top fighter pilot of the war, so there is no more important pilot or plane from that era. Then you add on that, he had this nose art on there of his girlfriend and it was a very sweet little portrait. The press really loved that and they ran with that, and I think that’s why the Marge plane got so famous so quickly, because the press loved the sort of innocence and the sweetness of that nose art and publicized it pretty widely.”
Fiandt was part of a news conference Thursday, May 23 at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center in Superior announcing that "Marge" had been located. Also taking part were members of the Pacific Wrecks team, who joined virtually from Madang, Papua New Guinea.
“When we located the crash site, it was an amazing experience,” said Pacific Wrecks founder Justin Taylan. “The plane had landed in a ravine in the jungle, and over 80 years parts of the wreckage have eroded down a hillside through natural impacts. We entered this ravine at the base and began walking uphill, seeing small parts and larger parts and larger parts. Immediately, I recognized those parts as associated with a P-38 Lightning.”
Taylan and the team eventually saw two engines sticking out of the ground, buried in several meters of soil with only the tips of the propeller and the engine mounts visible above the surface. They were able to confirm the plane's identity as Marge.
“I am humbled to work with this team,” said Taylan. “This is a great day for the Bong Center, a great day for Pacific Wrecks and a great day for history.”
This episode also features comments from Richard Bong's sister, Jerry Bong Fechtelkotter, as well as more details on the expedition and plans for the future.
New episodes of Archive Dive are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producers Wyatt Buckner and Dan Williamson. If you have an idea for a topic you’d like to see covered, email Maria Lockwood at mlockwood@superiortelegram.com.
