The Superior museum honors a hometown American hero.
In 1944, one of America's greatest war heroes returned to the United States as the nation's leading Ace. Born in
Superior, Wis., Richard I. Bong took to the skies over the Pacific theater of World War II and inspired a nation, downing a record 40 enemy planes while flying P-38 fighter planes. One of the most decorated soldiers of all time, Bong was ordered home in December of 1944 for his safety. In February of 1945 he married his sweetheart, Marge, and six months later the Congressional Medal of Honor recipient was killed while test piloting the first U.S. jet fighter.
Located in Superior, the Richard I. Bong World War II Heritage Center pays homage to this American hero and all the men and women who contributed to the war effort. Get up close to "Marge," a meticulously restored P-38 Lightning similar to the one Bong flew in the Pacific theater, and explore the displays chronicling his journey from a Wisconsin farm boy to American Ace of Aces. The center also highlights the heroic accomplishments and sacrifices made by the ordinary men and women who put their lives on hold to help the cause of preserving America's freedom.
For more information on the Bong WWII Heritage Center, call 1-888-816-WWII (9944) or visit www.bongheritagecenter.org.