Major Richard I. Bong Aerial Victory No. 36
Zeke (A6M Zero), November 11, 1944
Third Tour of Duty

Mission History
On November 11, 1944 at 10:45am took off from Tacloban Airfield on Leyte piloting P-38L Lightning 44-23964 flying as element leader for "Pinky Special" led by Major Gerald R. Johnson on a mission to escort C-47 Skytrains performing an air drop of supplies over Homonhon Island. Afterwards, the formation proceeded westward to Ormoc Bay and the air controller radioed the presence of bogies south of Ormoc and climbed to an altitude of 13,000' and spotted several enemy plane.

At 12:30pm, the formation spotted seven Zeros at the same altitude that were about to attack six U.S. Navy (USN) TBF Avengers. The P-38s released their drop tanks and turned to engage. During the dog fight, Bong fired at three Zekes and claimed two smoking without being able to observe them crash. At 12:35pm Bong made a diving pass on a lone Zero causing it to smoke and crash in Ormoc Bay. Bong then climbed for altitude and dove on another Zero that was headed out to sea and opened fire causing it to smoke and crash over the coast south of Ormoc Bay. Returning, Bong landed at 1:00pm at Tacloban Airfield after 2 hours and 15 minutes airborne. Bong also observed the flight leader Major Gerald R. Johnson shoot down one Zero in flames and saw where four planes had crashed into the sea.

Claims
Bong claimed two aerial victories for Zekes. He was officially credited with two aerial victories, thirty-fifth and thirty-sixth victories. Bong was also the witness for one aerial victory by Major Gerald R. Johnson. After the mission, other pilots confirmed Bong's two Zeros were confirmed to have crashed by other pilots.

References
Major Richard I. Bong Aerial Victory Claims
USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: Bong, Richard I. pages 25 (PDF page 30) Chronological List: 11/11/44 page 478 (PDF page 483)
Individual Combat Report 11 November 1944 via Dear Mom (1991) page 422
Captain Richard I. Bong Individual Flight Record (Form 5) November 1944
"11 / P-38L / 2:15"
Individual Flight Record (Logbook) Richard Bong November 11, 1944
Combat Report (CR) November 11, 1944
Extract O.O. No. 471, Headquarters, Fifth Air Force, 5 December 1944
"RICHARD I. DONG, 0433784, Major Air Corps United States Army, is officially credited with the destruction of two enemy fighter-type aircraft in aerial combat over Ormoc Bay, Leyte, Philippine Islands at 1235/I on 11 November 1914. Major Bong was flying as element leader of a flight when seven enemy fighters were sighted. altitude and turned to attack. The flight climbed for This officer made a diving pass on a Lone Tighter, causing it to smoke and crash in Ormoc Bay. He then climbed for altitude and dove on another enemy plane which was heading out to sea. Opening fire, he caused the Japanese plane to mole and crash."
Stars & Bars: A Tribute To The American Fighter Ace 1920–1973 (1995) page 155 (Bong victories 35 & 36: November 11, 1944)

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