The search begins for the plane flown by a legendary World War II hero who became a national celebrity after his very public declaration of love to his then-girlfriend.
Star pilot Richard Bong, a Wisconsin farmer, is credited with shooting down 40 Japanese planes during World War II, more than any other American pilot, and received the Medal of Honor.
But he is perhaps even better known for taping a huge photograph of his girlfriend Marjorie Vattendahl on the side of his Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter jet, which he nicknamed ‘Marge’ in her honour.
The plane disappeared in March 1944 when it suffered engine failure over Papua New Guinea. The pilot flying the plane at the time, Thomas Malone, survived, but the plane along with Marge’s photo disappeared into the jungle and were never seen again.
The celebrity couple later married, but Bong tragically died before the end of the war, leaving his new wife devastated.
Now, a museum and a historic preservation group have teamed up in an attempt to recover the remains and bring missing Marge home.
Star pilot Richard Bong flew a plane called ‘Marge’, named after his then-girlfriend Marjorie Vattendahl.
He attached Vattendahl’s photo to the plane shortly before it suffered engine failure over Papua New Guinea in March 1944.
Bong married Vattendahl in front of 1,200 guests and the international press in February 1945.
Unfortunately, the pilot died six months later, after being forced to eject from a P-80 aircraft at low altitude.
Bong was born to a Swedish immigrant father and an American-born mother in 1920.
The first of nine children, the star pilot was raised on farmland in Poplar, Wisconsin.
He learned to drive farm machinery at a young age and enjoyed playing sports, hunting and fishing.
Bong and Vattendahl met in 1943 at Superior Teachers College while he was home on vacation to crown the school’s new prom king.
The two were on stage together during the coronation and went on their first date a few days later.
Like Bong, Vattendahl gained fame because her boyfriend plastered her graduation photo on his plane and the pilot described her as a woman who “looks great, and way better than these naked women painted on most planes.” the LA Times reported in 2003.
Bong married Vattendahl in front of 1,200 guests and the international press in February 1945.
But the pilot died just six months later, after being forced to eject from a P-80 aircraft at low altitude.
“It was a very traumatic experience for her,” said historic center director Christabel Grant.
Vattendahl spent his final years living on the Bong family farm, and his ashes were buried alongside the World War II hero after his death in 2003.
The trip to Papua New Guinea to find ‘Marge’ will cost about $63,000
The search for the plane is expected to last a month.
The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center and the nonprofit Pacific Wrecks announced the search for Bong’s plane last week.
Justin Taylan, founder of Pacific Wrecks, will lead the expedition and plans to depart for Papua New Guinea in May.
According Minnesota Public Radio (MPR), Taylan believes the trip could last almost a month and cost around $63,000.
Taylan told MPR that he is sure he will find the wreckage, but he doesn’t know if there will be enough to identify the plane.
“We will take photographs and videos, fly a drone over the site and do a complete survey of the site,” Taylan said.
“Hopefully we can find the definitive proof, which will be a serial number from the plane that says this plane is Marge.”
Jerry Fechtelkotter, Richard Bong’s sister, said Northern news now His family is excited about the expedition.
“It would be nice to display some of the pieces here at the museum if we can find them,” added Bong’s nephew, Keith Fechtelkotter.
Bong married Vattendahl in front of 1,200 guests and the international press in February 1945.
Marjorie married Murray Drucker in the 1950s and gave birth to two children after Bong’s death. She died in 2003 and her ashes are currently buried next to the fallen star pilot.
After Bong’s death, Vattendahl married Murray Drucker in the 1950s and became a model and editor of Boxer Review.
She later spoke at aviation and veterans conventions and was “delighted” to learn that a P-38 aircraft with an image resembling her had become a collector’s item.
He spent his final years living on the Bong family farm, and his ashes were buried next to the World War II hero after his death in 2003.
Daily Mail has contacted the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center and Pacific Wrecks for comment.