By PAUL OEKA
AFTER more than 80 years a wreckage piece from one of the most famous Airplanes in US military history was officially handed over to the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center of Wisconsin following its discovery in Madang in 2024.
A portion of the tailfin from the P-38J Lightning fighter plane nicknamed “Marge” that was flown by decorated United States Airman Richard Bong during the Pacific war was officially handed over in a ceremony held at the APEC Terminal at Jackson’s Airport by the National Museum and Arts Gallery (NMAG) last Sunday, 12th July 2026.
The ceremony brought together military and diplomatic figures, including representatives from the US Wisconsin National Air Guard, United States Embassy, Pacific Wrecks crew, and the Bong Veterans Historical Center in Wisconsin, US.
The P-38 Lightning fighter plane was originally flown by Major Richard I. Bong, who was America’s top wartime ace pilot and was named after Bong’s girlfriend, Marjorie Vattendahl, and decorated with her portrait.
Richard Bong flew this P-38 in combat and became famous after shooting down 40 enemy aircraft, more than any other American pilot which is a record that currently still stands.
However, In March, 1944, during a weather reconnaissance mission another pilot, Thomas Malone, experienced mechanical issues while flying “Marge,” and parachuted out of the plane. He survived, but the plane disappeared into the jungles of Papua New Guinea.
After 80 years of mystery, a joint effort between Pacific Wrecks, which searches for war remains across the South Pacific and the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center located the crash site in the jungles of Rain Coast in Madang Province in May 2024.
Justin Taylan, expedition leader and founder of Pacific Wrecks expressed his gratitude to the people of PNG and their valuable partnership since the start of their search expedition and throughout thier journey.
“Two years ago, our team led an expedition to locate the crash site of P-38 Marge and identify the plane by its serial number. After two years of work with the local landowners, Madang Province, the National Government, and the National Museum and Art Gallery, we have achieved an amazing result.” Taylan said
“What we didn’t count on was finding incredible friendships and connections with the landowners, the community, and the people who helped us. With their help we were able to gain the trust and full agreement of the landowners to allow this artifact to leave their land so it can be preserved at the Bong Center and seen by people across the United States.”
The historic wreck pieces of the famed fighter plane were safely extracted and transported from Madang to Port Moresby through the combined efforts of Pacific Wrecks, Bong Historical center and the PNG Defense Force.
The historical value of Major Bong’s aircraft has already helped forge a proud new sister-city relationship that unites the distant communities of Madang in Papua New Guinea and Poplar in Wisconsin, US.
In strengthening this sister city bond between major Bong’s hometown of Poplar and Madang, the Bong family, and Pacific Wrecks went far beyond retrieving the wreckage and also contributed to the improvement of the lives of the people in Lila and the surrounding villages in Astrolabe Bay by renovating classrooms, installing water infrastructure, and providing student desks.
During the ceremony NMAG’s Chief Curator, Dr Gregory Bablis formally issued the export permit for the wartime relic to Bong Veterans Historical Director of Exhibits Briana Fiandth.
In his speech Bablis highlighted the role of the NMAG in strengthening foreign relations through shared historical objects such as the Marge wreck..
“The PNG National Museum and Art Gallery serves a vital role as the living memory and the conscience of our nation.” Bablis said.
“Museums hold stories that connect us globally through the
history embedded in objects like the ‘Marge’ wreck, that has a unique power to drive cultural and historical diplomacy, quietly shaping and strengthening our foreign relations.”
The piece of history was then loaded in a waiting US Air force aircraft to begin its journey across the Pacific to be displayed at the Richard I Bong Veterans Museum in major Bong’s hometown in Wisconsin, US.
Under the agreement between NMAG and the Bong Center, a section of the wreckage will stay in PNG at the new Aviation Heritage Centre, while a portion of the tailfin goes to the Wisconsin facility.
Dr. Bablis urged the government to continue investing in the National Museum and Art Gallery to showcase the country’s rich history globally while securing bilateral ties.