BONG, RICHARD I.


Rank: Major
Organization: U.S. Army
Company:
Division:
Born: Poplar, Wis.
Departed: Yes
Entered Service At: Poplar, Wis.
G.O. Number: 90
Date of Issue: 12/08/1944
Accredited To:
Place / Date: Over Borneo and Leyte, 10 October to 15 November 1944



 Citation


Army Medal of Honor

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty in the Southwest Pacific area from 10 October to 15 November 1944. Though assigned to duty as gunnery instructor and neither required nor expected to perform combat duty, Maj. Bong voluntarily and at his own urgent request engaged in repeated combat missions, including unusually hazardous sorties over Balikpapan, Borneo, and in the Leyte area of the Philippines. His aggressiveness and daring resulted in his shooting down 8 enemy airplanes during this period.