Poplar native, Major Richard Ira Bong, hasn't been forgotten.
Bong, a Medal of Honor recipient and ace pilot during World War II for whom Richard Bong Air Force Base in Superior is named, is profiled in a recently-published book, "In Their Honor: The Men Behind the Names of Our Military Installations."
With a foreword written by retired USAF Major Gen. Edward J. Mechenbier, "In Their Honor" is a collection of 524 biographies that give the reader a glimpse into the lives of military heroes from privates to generals, aviation pioneers, prisoners of war, civilians, astronauts, and explorers and scientists who either gave their lives for our country or in some way made a major contribution to our nation.
The book is the result of six years if extensive research to find the story behind every man who ever had a military installation named in his honor. Author, Linda D. Swink, an Air Force veteran, said many names have faded into obscurity after a military installation closed. Once no longer needed, many airfields were abandoned and much of its history lost. Little or no biographical information about the man for whom the installation was named survived. "My intention is to honor theses men and keep their memory alive in the hearts of today's generation, as well as those in the future."
Other military heroes from Wisconsin profiled in the book are: Brigadier Gen. James Roy Andersen of Racine; Gen. Hoyt Sanford Vandenberg of Milwaukee; Major Gen. Robert Bruce McCoy of Kenosha; Lt. Col. Charles R. Williams of Rio; Staff Sgt. Andrew Miller of Manitowoc; Corp. Mitchell Red Cloud Jr., of Hatfield; Vice Admiral James Henry Flatley of Green Bay; Admiral Marc Andrew "Pete" Mitscher of Hillsboro; and Vice Admiral Ralph Andrew Ofstie of Eau Claire.
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Swink's book is available in area bookstores and from the publisher, Little Miami Publishing Co., Milford, Ohio: (513) 576-9369 and www.littlemiamibooks.com . A preview of the book can be found at www.intheirhonor.info .
