ACE OF AMERICAN ACES

Despite initially attempting to distance itself from the desperate war in Europe, it was not until the fateful day of 7 December 1941, that the United States was forced into the Second World War following the infamous Japanese attacks at Pearl Habor.

Once embroiled, America turned its full industrial might against its foes and struck the first major blow against the Japanese at the Battle of Midway. Aided by the British, Commonwealth and Indian Forces, the Americans went on to bear the full brunt of the war in the Pacific.

Slowly but surely, the island-hopping campaigns brought glory to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Overhead, the Americans were gaining total air superiority which was helped in part by the quality of the aircraft – the legendary Japanese Zero which once caused so much damage in 1941, was now up against the very best of American design. Aircraft such as F6F Hellcats, F4U Corsairs, and the mighty P-38 Lightning that was so feared by the Japanese pilots. Flown by some of the top U.S. Aces of the war, the twin-engine Lightning cut a swathe through the remaining Japanese airpower.

One such Ace was Major Richard ‘Dick’ Bong whose combat record was unmatched by any other American fighter pilot during the war. Credited with shooting down 40 Japanese aircraft and a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration of the United States Armed Forces, Bong’s legacy is forever etched into the history books.

In an exquisite tribute America's leading Ace, Richard Taylor has used his highly-prized creative skill in yet another inspirational drawing to add to his growing list of masterworks. Richard portrays an action on 7 December 1944, exactly three years after the attacks at Pearl Habor. With amphibious landings by the 77th Infantry Division underwayat Albuera, south of Ormoc City in the Philippines, Bong and his wingman, Floyd H. Fulkerson Jr, complete a head-on pass against a damaged Ki-44 Tojo. It was a busy day for Bong who added another two victories to his tally, numbers 37 and 38. Alongside is a completely separate portrait of Bong in the cockpit of his beloved P-38 Lighting.

However, tragedy struck on 6 August 1945 when Bong took to the skies for the last time. Piloting a P-80 Shooting Star he lost his life when the primary fuel pump malfunctioned which resulted in an explosion and crash. It was the same day that an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, but the death of the 24 year-old airman still made front-page headlines in newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times who reported this about their leading Ace:

“You see, we not only loved him, we boasted about him, we were proud of him," recounted Lt. Gen. Kennedy. 
“That’s why each of us got a lump in our throats when we read that telegram about his death. Major Bong, Ace of American Aces
in all our wars,is destined to hold the title for all time. With the weapons we possess today,
no war of the future will last long enough for any pilot to run up 40 victories again.”

A historic tribute to Richard ‘Dick’ Bong – only ELEVEN mounted prints are available worldwide, each with a total of EIGHT veteran autographs including Dick Bong!

The Veteran’s Edition

Since 1975 the Military Gallery, Richard's exclusive publisher, has been signing with and collecting original autographs of some of the most notable names in military history, but this is the very first time a Dick Bong autograph has been offered as part of a release. Given his untimely death in August 1945, it's easy to understand why his autograph is so hard to come by and this quantity has taken several years to source.

Completed on antique-buff paper, Richard’s original drawings have now been faithfully reproduced as high-quality giclée fine art prints, each personally signed by the artist, hand numbered and issued mounted to full conservation standards. There is no doubt that this collectible and extremely limited edition will be popular with collectors interested in the War in the Pacific, especially given the inclusion of such rare and sought after original signatures. These consist of the famous Ace depicted, Richard ‘Dick’ Bong, alongside seven P-38 Lighting pilots who flew with distinction in the War in the Pacific, between them accumulating thousands of combat flying hours:

Major RICHARD ‘DICK’ BONG MoH
Americas top flying Ace during WWII and Medal of Honor recipient credited with 40 aerial victories all while flying the P-38 Lightning in over 200 combat missions.

Colonel PERRY J. DAHL
USAAF Ace credited with 9 aerial combat victories flying the P-38 Lightning in 158 combat missions during WWII.

Captain JACK OLSEN
USAAF P-38 Lightning pilot with 475th Fighter Group, 431st Fighter Squadron flying 105 combat missions during WWII.

Lieutenant Colonel JOHN LOISEL
USAAF Ace credited with 11 aerial combat victories flying the P-39 Airacobra and P-38 Lightning recording more than 875 combat flying hours during WWII.

Colonel JOHN W. MITCHELL
USAAF Ace flying a total of 457 combat missions in a 24 year career spanning both WWII and Korea credited with 16 aerial combat victories.                      

Major JULIUS 'JACK' JACOBSON
Flying as John Mitchell’s regular wingman Jacobsen flew P-39 Airacobra and P-38 Lightning’s completing a total of 111 combat missions during WWII.

Captain DELTON GOERKE
USAAF pilot flying the P-39 Airacobra and P-38 Lightning completing 3 combat tours to Guadalcanal and Solomon Islands credited with a total of 78 combat missions during WWII.

Lieutenant Colonel DOUG CANNING
USAAF pilot flying the P-39, P-400 Airacobra and P-38 Lightning completing 63 combat missions spanning WWII, Korea and Vietnam wars.