On 24th September 1920 was born an American fighter pilot, US Air Force major and World War II fighter ace – Richard Ira Bong. In 1942 he graduated from school for pilots as a sublieutenant. In September 1942 he became a pilot for the US Air Force No. 9 fighting division in No. 5 fighting group that fought in New Guinea. On 12th April 1994 he gained 28th victory and broke a record that belonged to Edward Rockenbacker – American fighter ace from World War I period. In the end he managed to gain 40 individual victories. Bong died in August 1945 during landing in damaged aircraft P-80 Shooting Star.
Today in aviation history – 24th September
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