The Richard I. Bong Veterans Museum invites members of the media and the public to attend a special Post P-38 flyover Mission Marge Press Conference on Thursday, July 9, at the Richard I Bong Memorial Airport in the Commemorative Air Force Lake Superior Squadron hangar.
At the conference, project leaders will share updates on our museum’s humanitarian and preservation efforts in Papua New Guinea. The press conference will follow the dramatic return of a legendary P-38 flying over the city of Superior for the first time in two decades. The plane will retrace some of the paths flown by Major Bong during his visit home for promotional appearances during the height of his service in WWII, when he was assigned a P-38 for personal use stateside. He promptly had Marge’s now-famous “pinup” portrait affixed to that plane as well.
We are honored to be hosting Steve Hinton, who, for warbird restoration and civilian airshows, is one of our most famous modern pilots, renowned for his extensive air racing and check-flight history. He will be piloting 23 Skidoo from the Planes of Fame Museum located in Chino, California. His flyover path starts at 1 pm from the Bong Airport, to the Veterans Museum, to the Poplar Middle School and, lastly, the Bong Family farm, before returning to the airport.
During the press conference, members of the Mission Marge team (most of whom will be Zooming in from PNG) will discuss the project’s goals, the expedition, historical significance, logistical challenges and humanitarian initiatives. You’ll hear directly from the leaders of the mission, including two Bong family members who went on the mission. We’ll also share how you can support this historic endeavor.
Lastly, we plan on sharing some breaking news with you that’ll be confirmed on the 9th or 10th, depending on where you are.
“This is a unique opportunity to have a personal connection with a legendary WW2 airplane,” said Debbie Ritzinger, a tenured volunteer of the museum. “The mission is about honoring the legacy of Richard Bong, preserving history for future generations, and building lasting partnerships with the people of Papua New Guinea.”
The Richard I. Bong Veterans Museum encourages media outlets, veterans, aviation enthusiasts, history lovers and community members to attend this special announcement and learn more about the next chapter of Mission Marge.
For more information or to register for the event, visit the Eventbrite event page or contact the Richard I. Bong Veterans Museum.
July 9 Timeline:
1 -2 pm
23 Skidoo Flyovers (Bong Center- Poplar Middle School- Bong Family Farm)
2 pm
Doors Open at the CAF Hangar- 4804 Hammond Ave., Superior
2:15 -3 pm
P-38 Visitation with 23 Skidoo Steve Hinton
3- 4 pn
Mission Marge Press Conference
Additional Links:
Pacific Wrecks page with photos and information on Bong’s P-38 “Marge” flights in the area, including from Bong Airfield and including buzzing Milwaukee!
https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/p-38/44-23491.html
The Planes of Fame P-38, and the original Ski-Doo it is named for.
https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/p-38/44-23314.html – the plane flying
https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/p-38/42-66504.html – based on this plane
An assigned pilot, Perry “P.J”. Dahl, one of the last P-38 aces alive until December 2024.
https://pacificwrecks.com/people/veterans/dahl
https://www.dvidshub.net/image/7652301/honoring-col-pj-dahls-legacy
