Richard I Bong Veterans Historical Center Guestbook

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Ken Jacobson
Posts: 34

Visit
Reply #29 on : Sun November 04, 2012, 20:43:05

I'm a Vietnam era Vet and I plan on visiting the museum with my Grandson and a friend of his on November 17th. (His idea!) Are there any special programs and/or deals that we should look out for?

Dan King
Posts: 34

WWII Japanese pilots' firsthand accounts
Reply #28 on : Sat July 21, 2012, 13:50:41

We have just published 'the other side' of the Pacific War. The Japanese pilots that Richard Bong and other faced are now being told for the first time in the new book, "The Last Zero Fighter" by Dan King (Amazon).

James Johnson
Posts: 34

P-38 Lightning yoke
Reply #27 on : Thu July 05, 2012, 13:18:17

Hello, my late father, Darrel Johnson from Rochester Mn. was an Army Air Force veteran who flew the P-38 Lightning. He was both an instructor and an airman who patrolled the Panama Canal with the P-38.. I understand that my dad donated the yoke from his P-38 to your museum. Just trying to pin this down to see if this is true? I do not see anything about it under the restoration project about the P-38?? p.s. I used to "play" with it when I was a kid .... please update me thank you,

rao alessandro
Posts: 34

Un saluto
Reply #26 on : Thu June 14, 2012, 14:57:03

Un cordiale saluto dall'Italia a tutti i piloti dell'USAF.

(A friendly greeting from Italy to all USAF pilots.- editor)

Last Edit: January 30, 2013, 16:37:56 by admin

Michael Monfils
Posts: 34

Hollywood Movie
Reply #25 on : Mon May 28, 2012, 07:35:15

Why won't Hollywood make a movie about America's "Ace of Aces"? All the elements of a great story are there: drama, romance, action, adventure, man-and-machine, rivalry, tragic death, etc. Is it because Hollywood now frowns on American triumphalism? Is it because the hero is Caucasian and therefore the telling of his exploits would not advance a politically correct agenda? I would think that this would be a money-maker for Spielberg, Lucas, Hanks, etc. Why the lack of interest by Hollywood? Richard Bong's story needs to be told.

Stanley Summers
Posts: 34

From Superior and Original Donater
Reply #24 on : Sun March 25, 2012, 15:30:28

I attended High School in Superior and enlisted in the Navy in Duluth, Dec 1952.

Also donated to the Center in the Early Days, was a close friend of the Brew family. I still have my P-38 tie clasp given for donations back then.

Used to fly out of the Bong AirPort with my Dad. He was a Chaplin with the CAP and Incharge of the Salvation Army 1949 to 54. Not sure on the last year as I was overseas. Have pictures of the Original Memorial in the wing of the school.

No room to give my Military History, but you can click on the shadow box site at the bottom of my e-mail if it shows or find my profile in NTWS on the web.

You have really came a long way since the start very impressive.

Master Chief Gunnersmate
Stanley Summers, USN, Ret.

Nathan Ogden
Posts: 34

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!
Reply #23 on : Fri April 22, 2011, 14:40:51

This Place is AMAZING!!!

Diane Jones RUsso
Posts: 34

WW11
Reply #22 on : Mon March 14, 2011, 07:05:22

My dad flew bombers in world war 2. His name is Frederick William Jones Jr. I was wondering if anyone knew him. We lived in Superior Wisconsin, than moving to Mississippi in the late 50's. If their is someone whom knew him I would love to hear from them.
Thank you

David W. Miller
Posts: 34

Ace of Aces, Richard Ira Bong
Reply #21 on : Sun February 27, 2011, 10:42:17

He was truly the best there ever was, and on like Tommy Mcguire was very humble, which is one reason he was the BEST. I was there in 1993 before this was erected.I hope to see it again in my lifetime. Rest In Peace, Richard, Hero, your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

SSG CHRISTOPHER.BIESEL
Posts: 34

Thank You
Reply #20 on : Sat January 01, 2011, 12:03:48

Thank you from SSG Biesel,Christopher

The Best sight a Wisocin boy myself has of HERO's from all war to come home to and visit.

Thank You all

Luis
Posts: 34

Opinión
Reply #19 on : Sun October 24, 2010, 15:11:22

Wonderful site.-

Rob
Posts: 34

other
Reply #18 on : Wed August 11, 2010, 23:18:40

I liked your site

Kathi Cushman
Posts: 34

a possible purple heart donation?
Reply #17 on : Sat July 31, 2010, 19:21:03

Hello, this is my first visit to your website, and I have not yet been to your Center. I live in Marshfield, WI. My cousin may be interested in donating our Uncle Willard Lersch's purple heart. I will provide him with your contact information, and so you may here from him in the future. His name is David Lersch, and he lives in Illinois. Thank you for the fantastic work you do!

Mary Ellen James Fenstermaker ( Mother's nee name Neese
Posts: 34

Uncle George
Reply #16 on : Fri July 16, 2010, 21:59:12

What an honor to have my Uncle George remembered by my Godfather, Uncle Tom!!!

Ed Fillman
Posts: 34

RIchard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center
Reply #15 on : Sun July 11, 2010, 08:21:20

I toured this facility after it first opened. It was amazing. I remember viewing his P-38 Lightning when I was a child in the '50s when it was on display in Poplar, Wisconsin.

I look forward to another visit.

paul from NH
Posts: 34

Re: Guest Book
Reply #14 on : Mon July 05, 2010, 20:15:22

Reading War Pilot, by Richard Kirkland who also flew P-38s in the Pacific. flew on several missions with Bong and even was a tentmate for a while. Kirkland tells a good story by simply saying what happened with little embellishment.

John A. McCarty
Posts: 34

Plague
Reply #13 on : Tue June 01, 2010, 20:50:20

I recently heard of a wall memorial at your location. Having grown up in Ashland and having passed the P-38 hundreds of times when it was in Poplar this is of interest to me. I served in the U.S. Army from 1972-1979. I served time in Germany as well as about 5 bases in the states. Does this make me eligible for recognition?

Ernie Jones
Posts: 34

The Site
Reply #12 on : Thu April 29, 2010, 01:55:28

I have really enjoyed your website and if I can ever get to the USA I will make sure I visit your centre.
Best regards
Ernie Jones
Queensland
Australia

Leland Lesher
Posts: 34

Microsoft Combat Flight Sim 2 Bong Missions
Reply #11 on : Sat April 24, 2010, 20:46:10

I have built the first 21 missions that Dick Bong flew for the Microsoft CFS2 computer game. I am currently working on the rest of those missions based upon the book by Bill Yenne; Aces High. They are available for download at Sim-Outhouse online. The remaining Bong and McGuire missions will be available as I am able to get them built and uploaded.

Bill Mead
Posts: 34

Greetings
Reply #10 on : Tue March 23, 2010, 13:14:09

Hope all are doing well. Keep up the good work.

Bill Mead

Mitch Terrusa
Posts: 34

P-38
Reply #9 on : Mon March 22, 2010, 11:36:23

You have done a wonderful thing here by preserving the P-38 and the memories of those who have served our country with honor. I happened onto this site looking for P-38 information for my father who is a flyer and has always loved the P-38 from the time he first saw it as a boy. He served in Korea and returned to live a life that has made his family very proud.

B. J. Mayer
Posts: 34

Bong memorial, P-38
Reply #8 on : Sun March 07, 2010, 14:11:21

I visited the memorial at Poplar several times and
your new facility. Excellent facility now. An
ole P-51 pilot from 2nd Air Commando pilot, CBI

Donald Campbell
Posts: 34

Re: Guest Book
Reply #7 on : Thu March 04, 2010, 11:23:13

My uncle flew P38s; he was inducted at Truax Field in Madison - perhaps with Richard Bong's group or shortly after. My mother has never talked much about the war, however, given she lost two brothers in it. She still harbors deep-rooted ill-feelings toward the Japanese.

My uncle (Lt. Harold Mickelson) was killed during a training flight in California in 1944 and never had the chance to fly in combat.

My other uncle (SSGT Donald Mickelson), for whom I'm named, was shot by a sniper on a Pacific Island in April '43, about two weeks before I was born. Given the date, I'd say it was the Solomon Is. My mother just knows what the Army told her family at the time - which wasn't much. She doesn't even know where he's buried.

My P38 uncle, according to what I've been told, was given a good military send-off with fly-overs and all. It's just too bad he never got to fight.

I used to have his Luke Field basic flight training class book, but it's been lost over the years. If I still had it, I'd liked to have donated it to your museum.

Cole Premetz
Posts: 34

Dick Bong
Reply #6 on : Sun February 21, 2010, 09:31:16

I'm doing a social studies project on Dick Bong. You have a great resource.

Mike Dougherty
Posts: 34

2008 visit
Reply #5 on : Fri January 15, 2010, 14:06:53

My sister and her husband took my wife and I there in 2008, very impressive and very moving. I will return the next time I am in that neck of the woods.
Thanks.

Jeremy Jacob Reeves
Posts: 34

Thanks for serving United States of America
Reply #4 on : Fri December 11, 2009, 11:32:12

You guys rock all the time Happy Halidays to all the VETERANS. I love to hear a lot about your guys HISTORY I love history.

God Bless all of you

Last Edit: February 01, 2010, 21:40:10 by admin

Alessandro Rao
Posts: 34

Un ricordo ed un saluto
Reply #3 on : Thu November 26, 2009, 00:12:37

I am a writer of biographies of U.S. pilots. Now I'm ineteressando Bong. Among other things I have always been a fan of this wonderful fighter pilot.
Gather much information from the V / s sites. Greetings from Rome, Italy
Alessandro

Jeffry Stone
Posts: 34

Great work
Reply #2 on : Wed November 18, 2009, 00:26:31

I hope to visit some day soon.
Best of luck,
Jeff

Scot Clark
Posts: 34

P38 history and research
Reply #1 on : Mon September 21, 2009, 14:39:14

Hello from Central Oregon. I am the son of a WWII Air Force veteran, who fly 22 missions in B17's over Europe, in capacity of waist gunner and tail gunner. I am very proud to be the son of a decorated WWII veteran.
My father-in-law is also a WWII vet, having survived as a POW for the duration of the war. He was captured in the Philippines and endured the horrendous conditions common of 'guests' of the Japanese Emperor. He is still living and in good health.
What I am most interested in currently is the production of the P38 Lightning. It appears that my grandfather was somehow connected to the Lockheed P38 Interceptor, I am investigating that situation. He was a WWI Navy Vet, that is about all I know of his status.
I appreciate the thoroughness of your web site, and the dedication of your staff. I hope to discover more about my grandfathers participation in the P38 program through your services.
Thanks you for your efforts in recognizing the value of our veterans
regards, Scot Clark